'' 


RANDOM   SKETCHES 


AND 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS; 


OR, 


WHAT  I  SAW  IN  CAMP,  ON  THE  MARCH,  THE  BIVOUAC,  THE 

BATTLE  FIELD  AND  HOSPITAL,  WHILE  WITH  THE 

ARMY  IX  VIRGINIA,  NORTH  AND  SOUTH 

CAROLINA,  DURING  THE  LATE 

REBELLION. 


• 

WITH  A  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 

THE  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT, 

EIGHTY-FIRST  NEW  YORK  STATE  V.  I.  : 


A  RECORD  OF  ALL  ITS  OFFICERS,  AND  ROSTER  OF  ITS 
ENLISTED  MEX;  ALSO,  AX  APPENDIX. 


BY  B.  S.  I*E  FOREST, 

LATE    FIRST   LIEUTENANT   AND   R.    Q.    M. 


ALBANY,  ]Sf.  Y!: 
AVERT  HERRICK,  PUBLISHER. 

1866. 


Knterod  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1866,  by 

B.  S.  DE  FOREST, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  for  the 
Northern  District  of  New  York. 


AVKKY   1IKKRICK, 

V/.    496  B 

ALBANY    R.  T. 


TO  THE  VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS 

OF  THE 

LATE  UNION  ARMY, 

FOR  THEIR  PATRIOTISM,  COURAGE  AND  FORTITUDE, 
IN   THE   HOUR   OF   OUR   COUNTRY'S    TRIAL, 

WHO  STOOD  AS  A  LIVING  WALL 
BETWEEN   FREEDOM   AND   DESPOTISM, 

THIS  VOLUME  IS 
RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED. 


M15715S 


PREFA.CE. 


When  these  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND  WANDERING 
THOUGHTS  were  written,  the  Author  had  no  idea  of 
having  them  published.  They  were  first  a  memoranda 
of  events  which  transpired  from  day  to  day,  in  camp 
and  on  the  march,  which  was  kept  in  a  small  field  book, 
in  which  was  also  noted  such  reflections  as  suggested 
themselves  at  the  time.  The  manuscript  was  looked 
upon  as  a  sort  of  reserve  fund  upon  which  to  draw 
for  light  reading,  when  it  could  not  be  obtained  from 
any  other  source,  with  which  to  amuse  himself  and 
relieve  the  tedium  of  camp  life;  also  as  a  record  for 
refreshing  his  memory  in  after  years,  in  regard  to  the 
leading  incidents  of  the  great  struggle  we  were  then 
passing  through.  On  reading  some  of  the  manuscript 
to  friends  in  whose  judgment  he  had  confidence,  he  has 
been  induced  to  have  it  published  in  book  form. 

People  who  are  loyal,  and  appreciate  sentiments 
flowing  from  a  patriotic  heart,  and  those  who  think 
well  of  the  soldier,  who  left  the  comforts  of  home  to 
share  in  the  dangers  and  privations  of  the  battle  field 
and  camp,  may  read  and  be  entertained  by  it.  They 
will  doubtless  find  that  it  contains  faults,  if  they  choose 

*1 


6  PREFACE. 

to  look  for  them.  It  does  not  challenge  criticism,  it 
makes  no  special  pretension  to  literary  merit,  but  simply 
gives  an  unvarnished  description  of  soldier  life  in  the 
field,  and  what  the  writer  saw  in  the  South,  as  it  pre 
sented  itself  to  his  mind  at  the  time. 

The  history  of  the  Second*  Oswego  Regiment,  (81st 
Xew  York  State  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry,)  other 
than  of  his  own  knowledge,  was  obtained  from  various 
ivliuhle  sources,  and  it  is  thought  would  be  interesting 
to  many,  in  connection  with  the  Sketch  Book,  especially 
to  those  who  belonged  to  the  regiment,  and  to  the  friends 
of  those  who  are  dead,  reminding  them  of  the  scenes 
through  which  they  have  passed.  An  account  is  also 
given  of  the  many  hard  fought  battles  in  which  the 
regiment  participated,  with  a  record  of  the  officers  and 
an  alphabetical  roster  of  the  privates.  Every  member 
of  the  regiment  may  well  feel  proud  that  his  fortunes 
were  cast  with  such  a  noble  band  of  our  country's 
defenders. 


RANDOM   SKETCHES 


AND 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS, 


1862. 


"  They  never  fail  who  die 

In  a  great  Cause ;  the  block  may  soak  their  gore, 
Their  heads  may  sodden  in  the  sun  ;  their  limbs 
Be  strung  to  city  gates  or  castle  walls  ; 
But  still  their  spirits  walk  abroad,  though  years 
Elapse,  and  other's  share  as  dark  a  doom, 
They  but  augment  the  deep  and  sweeping  thoughts 
Which  overspread  all  others,  and  conduct 
The  World  at  last  to  Freedom." 

PATKIOTISM  is  one  of  the  highest  aspirations  of  the 
soul.  In  a  country  like  ours,  there  is  every  possible 
inducement  to  give  it  the  highest  and  purest  expres 
sion.  If  the  Laplander,  chilling  among  his  banks  of 
snow — the  Russian,  ground  by  the  heel  of  oppres- 


8  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

sion — the  Turk,  forced  to  be  the  tool  of  power,  lust 
and  caprice — and  the  Chinumun,  shut  out  from  the 
world,  where  ignorant  hordes  are  born  and  die,  in  their 
ness  and  poverty — if  all  these  can  bravely  li^ht 
and  die  for  their  Country,  what  ought  not  the  Ameri 
ca  :i  citi/en  to  feel  and  do  in  this  great  struggle  for  the 
p.*  -'Tvation  of  Liberty  and  Self-Government? 

At  this  moment  a  giant  Rebellion  is  overshadowing 
our  land,  greater  in  magnitude  than  has  ever  been 
known  in  the  World's  history.  Already  has  our  fertile 
soil  been  deluded  with  the  blood  of  her  sons,  who  have 
gone  forth  in  her  defence.  Many  homes  are  already 
draped  in  mourning,  their  inmates  weeping  for  loved 
ones  slain.  And  mournful  cries  come  wafting  on  every 
hm-/«'  {'nun  the  Southern  land,  imploring  help  to  put 
down  tiva.-on,  which  seeks  to  destroy  the  Temple  of 
Liberty  cm-ted  by  our  Fathers. 

In  this  irreat  M  niggle  for  Freedom,  there  should  be 
but  one^Mitiment  and  one  purpose — to  save  our  Coun 
try  with  her  free  Constitutional  rights  unimpaired. 
And  it'  that  black  Main  upon  our  Nation's  past  record, 
Slavery,  is  blotted  out  in  the  conflict,  let  us  all  hail 
the  day  with  supreme  delight,  and  from  its  ruins  build 
a  more  beautiful  edifice,  dedicated  to  Universal  Free 
dom,  whose  broad  dome  may  be  as  expansive  as  the 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  9 

blue  vault  of  heaven  above  us,  where  myriads  may 
continue  to  find  a  welcome  home  and  shelter  from  the 
hand  of  tyranny  and  oppression. 

It  was  in  the  summer  of  1862  that  I  left  the  Bar 
racks  at  Albany,  having  in  charge  one  hundred  and 
eighteen  men,  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  We 
took  passage  on  the  Steamer  New  World,  and  had  a 
delightful  trip  on  the  silvery  waters  of  the  noble 
Hudson,  beneath  the  calm  rays  of  a  harvest  moon, 
which  lit  us  on  our  way. 

As  early  dawn  broke  in  upon  us,  we  found  our  boat 
nearing  the  wharf  at  New  York.  At  roll  call,  all 
except  two  of  the  men  answered  to  their  names.  A 
search  was  made  for  the  absentees,  and  they  were  found 
secreted  in  the  hold  of  the  vessel — an  initiatory  step 
for  desertion,  which  had  become  so  common  in  our 
army.  They  were  soon  brought  forth,  and  handcuffed 
for  the  balance  of  the  journey. 

Before  crossing  the  river  for  Jersey  City,  I  experi 
enced  much  difficulty  in  keeping  the  men  in  the  ranks, 
owing  to  their  many  pretended  wants,  most  of  them 
having  some  plausible  desire  to  be  gratified;  but  I 
remained  firm  in  my  purpose,  not  allowing  any  of  thorn 
to  leave,  on  any  pretence  whatever,  until  we  arrived  at 


10  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

tl'c  depot.  I  lore  I  secured  a  large  room,  well  adapted 
for  my  command,  as  many  of  them  were  deserters. 

Having  securely  guarded  the  doors,  with  sentinels, 
I  returned  to  New  York,  and  spent  the  balance  of  the 
day  in  making  purchases  for  my  anticipated  wants  in 
the  field. 

After  having  secured  my  camp  outfit,  I  rejoined  my 
command  at  Jersey  City,  and  obtained  transportation 
to  convey  them  to  Baltimore,  arriving  there  the  follow 
ing  day.  I  reported  immediately  to  the  Chief  Quar- 
trrmaMer,  who  forwarded  the  men  to  their  respective 
regiments,  relieving  me  of  my  first  command  of  Union 
soldiers. 

1 1  was  in  the  streets  of  this  city  that  the  first  blood 
WBfl  shed  in  defence  of  the  Union,  on  that  memorable 
day,  the  Seventeenth  of  April — the  same  month,  and 
day  of  the  month,  that  the  first  blood  was  shed  in  the 
It. -volution  of  1776,  at  Lexington,  which  is  a  singular 
coincidence;  also,  that  the  martyrs  were  from  the  same 
Btete. 

From  that  day  my  heart  beat  high  and  warm.  I 
frit  the  safety  of  our  Republic,  though  my  eyelids  had 
oft. •!!  m. >M. 'tied  when  the  ranks  marched  proudly  by 
me,  as  1  >a\v  them  from  my  window,  on  their  way  to 
th«-  (  apital,  for  its  defence.  Then  mothers,  maids  and 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  11 

old  men  waved  their  handkerchiefs,  that  were  wet  with 
tears  of  their  proud  affection,  and  to-day  I  feel  hopeful, 
although  in  the  midnight  of  our  cause,  that  victory  will 
crown  our  banners. 

On  the  arrival  of  my  horses  from  New  York,  I  left 
Baltimore  for  Washington,  sending  the  horses  by  the 
overland  route,  a  distance  of  forty  miles,  where  I  found 
them  the  next  morning,  in  good  condition. 

Washington  is  a  city  of  distances,  laid  out  in  wide 
avenues,  of  which  Pennsylvania  is  the  grandest,  from 
which  can  be  seen  our  splendid  Capitol,  with  its  mag 
nificent  dome  towering  to  the  sky,  its  base  supported 
by  mostfbeautiful  colonnades,  wrought  in  most  elaborate 
style ;  away  to  the  west  is  seen  the  President's  mansion, 
known  as  the  White  House,  with  its  extensive  grounds 
and  pleasant  walks.  I  visited  the  east  room.  It  is 
painted  and  furnished  in  the  most  costly  manner.  Off 
to  the  right  is  seen  Washington  Monument,  towering 
to  the  sky,  like  a  huge  pyramid,  yet  incomplete,  the 
Treasury  Building,  Patent  Office,  and  Post  Office,  are 
pure  classical  architecture,  and  are  monuments  of  archi 
tectural  skill  and  beauty. 

I  found  Washington  full  of  life,  with  regiment  after 
regiment  arriving  from  the  loyal  States,  to  help  repel 
General  Lee  and  "  Stonewall "  Jackson  from  invading 


1 2  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

tin1  Capital  of  the  Nation.  The  day  after  my  arrival 
I  heard  tlu-  first  booming  of  cannon,  far  in  the  distance, 
and  >a\v  tin-  n -treat ing  Army  of  the  Potomac  again  in 
the  field  before  Washington, "ready  to  meet  the  rebel 
hosts,  \\ho  were  so  eager  to  pillage  the  council  halls  of 
our  Nation. 

The  first  news  we  received  was  that  General  Pope 
had  been  driven  across  the  Kappahannock,  and  was 
flyiiur  for  safety  to  the  defences  of  Washington.  The 
Army  of  the  Potomac  was  already  on  the  march,  and 
•nin;:-  to  his  relief.  At  this  time  a  part  of  the  rebel 
annv  had  crossed  into  Maryland. 

The  city  was  filled  with  excitement,  and  ;tll  means 
of  transportation  pressed  into  service  to  convey  the  sick 
and  wounded  from  the  battle  fields.  The  clerks  of  the 
Departments  were  ordered  to  report  at  the  Treasury 
]>uilding  for  duty,  to  assist  in  burying  the  dead  and 
relieving  the  wants  of  the  wounded  and  dying  soldiers. 

On  the  30th  of  August  I  reported  for  duty  to  Major 
(leneral  Wadswnrth,  and  was  ordered  to  join  my  regi 
ment  at  Yorktown.  The  brigade  to  which  they  were 
alta.-hed  had  been  left  to  defend  that  place.  I  took  the 

::ner  for  Alexandria,  and  on  arriving  (here,  found 
all  bustle  and  confusion.  The  streets  were  filled  with 
1 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  13 

mud.  Troops  were  disembarking  from  transports,  and 
moving  forward  toward  the  battle  .field  of  Bull  Run. 
The  second  battle  was  then  being  fought ;  the  artillery 
firing  I  distinctly  heard. 

While  here,  I  visited  the  Marshall  House,  and  saw 
the  spot  where  Colonel  Ellsworth  fell,  while  in  the  act 
of  hauling  down  the  rebel  flag  which  was  floating  over 
the  building,  and  had  been  nailed  there  by  the  hands 
of  its  occupant.  For  that  accursed  emblem  .of  treason, 
young  Ellworth  lost  his  life,  and  the  traitor  Jackson  fell 
by  the  swift  avenging  hand  of  Frank  Brownell.  This 
was  the  only  place  of  note  I  saw  while  at  Alexandria. 

The  city  presents  a  very  unseemly  appearance.  The 
buildings  are  mostly  old  and  dilapidated ;  the  sidewalks 
were  all  mud;  the  courtyards  and  gardens  were  used 
for  pig  stys,  cattle  pens  and  correls.  Such  a  sight,  to  a 
Northern  man,  was  really  offensive,  I  was  glad  to  get 
on  board  a  transport,  which,  conveyed  me  to  Old  Point 
Comfort. 

On  our  way  thither,  we  passed  the  TOMB  OF  WASH 
INGTON,  nearly  hemmed  in  by  the  foliage  growing  on 
the  banks  of  the  river.  There,  in  that  quiet  vault,  lay 
the  Patriot  and  Sage,  the  revered  Father  of  his  Country. 

Here,  amid  the  quiet  of  country  life,  had  he  slumbered 

2 


14  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

for  more  than  half  a  century  undisturbed,  with  the 
.-ill-lit  waters  of  the  Potomac  gliding  just  beneath  his 
feet,  and  almost  on  the  very  spot  where  he  spent  his 
ehildh-  .".!'.<  years.  But  how  changed  the  scene!  Now 
war  is  in  tke  land,  and  traitors  to  the  Government 
which  he  had  helped  to  establish,  through  years  of 
bloodshed  and  suffering,  were  in  possession  of  this  very 
soil,  and  threatened  to  disturb  his  last  resting  place. 
Our  boat  was  gliding  swiftly  by,  and  I  gazed  on  that 
-acred  spot  until  MOUNT  VERNON'S  shades  faded  from 
my  view.  The  memory  of  that  hour  will  never  be 
blotted  out. 

The  Potomac  is  a  beautiful  river,  rising  among  the 
Alle^anies  and  winding  down  through  Virginia  and 
Maryland,  until  it  empties  into  the  Chesapeake  Bay, 
at  Point  Lookout. 

Men-  we  left  the  land  in  the  distance,  and  put  out 

M  the  breakers  of  the  Chesapeake.  The  waters  were 
quite  roii^'h,  which  tossed  the  vessel  to  and  fro,  and 
made  me  r-iek,  eoinpi'Hiiig  me  to  take  a  berth  for  the 
remainder  of  the  trip. 

On  my  arrival  at  Old  Point,  I  found  an  iiuineu-e 
quantity  of  shipping  in  the  bay.  Off  to  the  right  lay 
Hampton  Roads,  where  the  naval  battle  was  fought 


I 
WANDEEING  THOUGHTS.  15 

between  our  fleet  and  the  rebels,  and  where  that  terri 
ble  combat  took  place  between  the  little  Monitor  and 
the  huge  Merrimac,  in  which  the  latter  was  driven  to 
more  quiet  waters,  only  to  meet  destruction  by  its  own 
hand.  Off  to  the  left  lay  the  Rip  Raps,  where  the 
chain  gangs  are  made  to  work  the  balance  of  their 
enlistments,  on  the  fortifications  of  Fort  Wool.  Farther 
beyond  is  seen  SewelPs  Point,  and  away  off,  near  the 
horizon,  lay  Cape  Henry,  with  its  lighthouse,  which 
tells  the  mariner  the  dangers  he  is  likely  to  meet  with, 
as  he  approaches  the  outlet  to  this  great  harbor. 

I  visited  Fortress  Monroe,  and  found  fortifications 
of  immense  dimensions,  sufficient  to  garrison  fifteen 
thousand  men,  and  mounted  with  guns  of  the  largest 
calibre.  Not  far  from  me  lay  the  Union  and  Lincoln 
guns,  which  are  said  to  carry  balls  weighing  four  hun 
dred  and  fifty  pounds,  and  wrhich  require  eighty  pounds 
of  powder  to  throw  them  a  distance  of  six  miles.  This 
kind  of  arbitrament  will  no  doubt  puove  the  final 
Peacemaker  between  the  North  and  South. 

The  Fortress  is  built  of  masonry  and  earthwork,  its 
slopes,  ramps  and  glacis,  are  neatly  sodded,  presenting 
a  beautiful  velvety  appearance,  of  green  color,  bordered 
in  blue,  which  effect  the  stone  coping  presents  to  the 
eye,  at  a  short  distance. 


16  HAXDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

A  deep  moat  surrounds  the  fortress,  which  is  con 
nected  with  the  main  land  by  drawbridges.  The  inte 
rior  has  casemates,  caponniers,  storerooms,  offices  and 
officers'  quarters,  all  neatly  fitted  up  for  the  purposes 
intended.  The  Parade  is  sodded,  having  wide  graveled 
avenues  running  in  every  direction.  This  is  the  largest 
and  best  arranged  fort  we  have  in  this  country,  and  at 
pi\-rnt  is  the  headquarters  of  Major  General  John  A. 
Dix,  one  of  the  staunchest  Union  men  in  the  country. 

Old  Point  Comfort  was  once  a  place  of  great  resort 
during  the  summer  months,  as  a  watering  place  for  the 
Southern  aristocracy.  A  little  way  up  the  James  river 
is  seen  Newport  News  and  Hampton,  which  latter  place 
was  burned  by  the  rebels,  at  night,  on  the  approach  of 
our  troops. 

I  took  the  steamer  Thomas  L.  Morgan  for  York- 
town,  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  after  a  journey  of  three 
hours,  arrived  at  the  wharf.  When  I  landed  it  was 
dark;  lowering  clouds  were  gathering  in  the  western 
sky,  and  I  felt  a  great  desire  to  find  shelter  from  the 
impending  storm.  A  contraband  kindly  offered  to 
guide  me  to  our  camp,  for  which  I  thanked  him  and 
a<v< -pt«'d  his  services.  We  ascended  the  steep  bluffs 
and  traveled  about  half  a  mile  through  the  winding 
fortification,  which  surrounds  the  place,  to  the  south 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  17 

gate  of  the  fort,  which  we  passed,  the  countersign  not 
being  demanded  from  us  by  the  sentinel. 

I  found  my  regiment  encamped  near  by.  The  camp 
fires  were  blazing,  and  the  boys  seemed  quite  cheerful, 
living  in  this  rude  state,  it  being  the  first  camp  in  which 
the  regiment  had  been  left  long  enough  to  cook  a  ration 
properly  for  five  months;  having  passed  this  place  after 
its  seige,  some  two  months  previous,  on  their  way  to 
Richmond  from  Fortress  Monroe,  traveling  night  and 
day,  through  burning  sun,  fighting  from  Yorktown  to 
Williamsburgh,  Seven  Pines,  White  Oak  Swamp,  and 
Malvern  Hill,  retreating  to  Harrison's  Landing,  and 
thence  back  to  Yorktown. 

One  may  readily,  imagine  their  condition.  They 
were  mostly  without  tents  and  clothing,  with  only  such 
covering  as  their  ingenuity  could  devise.  The  regi 
ment  had  left  home  with  ten  hundred  and  forty  men, 
all  fit  for  duty.  Now  it  could  only  muster  about  four 
hundred. 

In  this  plight  I  found  the  regiment  to  which  my 
fortunes  were  united. 

Soon  after  my  arrival,  an  attack  was  made  on  our 
outposts,  by  the  enemy,  and  we  were  ordered  within  the 

fort.     "We  pitched  our  tents  on  a  high  bluff,  directly 

*2 


18  EANDOM  SKETCHES 

above  York  river,  which  gave  us  a  most  beautiful  view 
of  the  bay  in  the  distance,  and  of  Gloucester  Point. 

These  fortifications  are  immense,  covering  an  area 
of  some  four  hundred  acres,  including  the  village  of 
Yorktown  and  the  old  fortifications  built  in  1787,  which 
are  yet  visible. 

There  is  an  old  graveyard  in  the  village,  situated  on 
one  of  the  bluffs  of  York  river,  whose  tombstones  will 
carry  you  back  to  the  sixteenth,  century,  on  whose 
tablets  are  engraven  the  names  of  Nelson,  Fairfax,  and 
other  old  Virginian  families  of  note. 

Near  by  is  the  old  mansion  of  Governor  Nelson, 
which  was  occupied  by  Lord  Cornwallis,  as  his  hi  ad- 
(jiiatcrs,  during  the  seige  of  Yorktown,  in  1783.  In 
the  south  gable  are  distinctly  visible  cannon  shots  which 
were  sent  from  our  artillery,  by  order  of  the  Governor 
himself,  and  which  drove  the  occupants  from  the  build 
ing.  It  is  now  used  as  a  hospital  for  our  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers. 

The  bricks  which  were  used  in  constructing  this 
building  were  imported  from  England.  The  porch, 
which  stood  in  front,  has  been  torn  awav:  the  garden 

•/     * 

wall  has  crumbled  down,  and  in  its  stead  a  hedge  fence 
is  set -n,  formed  of  box,  which  grows  luxuriant  in  this 
climate,  and  is  found  in  abundance  In -re. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  19 

Like  most  other  mansions  in  the  South,  it  is  neglected 
and  going  fast  into  decay.  A  few  years  hence,  scarcely 
a  landmark  will  be  left  of  the  old  Cavaliers  who  once 
prided  themselves  on  their  homes  and  ancestry. 

York  river  is  noted  for  the  depth  of  its  channel 
and  its  fine  fish  and  oysters.  '  The  scenery  around  is 
rather  monotonous.  One  vast  field  of  pine  forest  carries 
the  eye  to  its  utmost  scope,  in  which  the  sun  apparently 
sets,  and  the  echo  of  the  evening  gun  dies  amid  its 
foliage. 

To-day  is  muster-day.  The  boys  are  in  fine  spirits, 
but  longing  for  the  Paymaster,  whom  they  have  not 
seen  for  the  last  six  months.  Many  of  them  are  penni 
less.  But  no  doubt  the  Government  is  doing  the  best 
it  can  at  present,  and  will  soon  be  able  to  meet  their 
wants.  In  the  meantime,  great  inconvenience  is  expe 
rienced  by  many,  and  several  amusing  as  well  as  serious 
complaints  were  made  by  the  men  to  their  officers. 
One  day  a  private  came  to  his  captain  \vith  a  very  long 
face,  saying  that  he  had  just  received  a  letter  from  his 
wife,  in  which  she  stated  that  the  pork  barrel  was 
empty,  and  the  flour  almost  gone,  and  if  he  did  not 
soon  send  home  money  she  would  have  to  make  other 
arrangements  The  poor  fellow,  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
said:  "Captain,  how  would  you  feel  if  your  wife 


20  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

should  write   to   you  that   she  would  have  to  make 
'other  arrangements'?" 

This  afternoon  I  took  a  ride  on  horseback  along  the 
banks  of  the  York  river.  After  riding  about  three 
miles,  I  came  to  a  by-path  leading  off  into  the  woods, 
and  iruve  a  loose  rein  to  the  animal;  he  followed  it  a 
distance  of  three  miles.  It  led  into  an  open  field, 
through  which  there  was  a  road.  I  followed  the  road 
a  short  way,  which  brought  me  in  sight  of  an  old 
mansion,  whose  gray  boards  and  fallen  verandah  roof 
told  plainly  that  time  was  making  its  impression.  I 
spurred  my  horse  and  galloped  on,  and  soon  reached 
the  "Plantation  Home."  The  girls  who  stood  at  the 
door  and  saw  my  approach,  ran  up  stairs.  The  pro 
prietor  met  me  at  the  gate  and  invited  me  in,  which 
invitation  I  accepted,  and  spent  nearly  an  hour  in  con 
versation  with  the  old  gentleman,  but  no  women  made 
their  appearance.  I  learned  by  the  conversation  I  had 
with  him  that  they  favored  the  Confederacy,  and  were 
strong  believers  in  State  Rights. 

I  began  to  fear  that  there  might  be  some  plan  laid 
for  my  capture,  and  not  feeling  inclined  to  visit  Rich 
mond  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  concluded  to  leave,  excusing 
myself  on  account  of  its  being  so  late  in  the  afternoon. 
The  sun  had  just  set,  and  I  was  five  miles  from  camp, 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  21 

and  beyond  our  lines,  away  from  any  other  habitation. 
I  mounted  my  horse  and  galloped  away.  The  moon 
was  just  peeping  up  from  the  eastern  sky,  throwing  her 
mellow  light  on  field  and  forest.  I  reached  the  wood- 
path  I  had  lately  left  and  traveled  quietly  along  through 
the  swamp  and  chaparral,  which  somewhat  impeded  my 
advance,  all  the  while  keeping  a  sharp  lookout  for 
bushwhackers,  who  infest  the  surrounding  country. 

I  suddenly  came  to  a  halt,  finding  an  impassable 
barrier  before  me,  consisting  of  slashings.  My  first 
thoughts  were  to  bivouac  for  the  night,  but  finally  con 
cluded  to  make  camp  that  night,  at  all  hazard.  After 
traveling  for  an  hour  through  the  dense  forest,  I  found 
a  road  which  brought  me  out  near  Fort  Magruder,  and 
within  two  miles  of  our  camp,  which  I  saw  lighted  up 
in  the  distance. 

On  my  way  thither,  I  passed  the  spot  on  which 
Lord  Cornwallis  surrendered  his  sword,  in  1783.  This 
memorable  spot  is  enclosed  with  a  neat  cedar  fence, 
containing  an  area  of  about  thirty  feet  square.  Here 
occurred  the  closing  scene  of  the  American  Revolution, 
the  surrender  of  the  last  British  Army  on  our  soil. 

Adjoining  this  little  enclosure  is  one  still  dearer  to 
every  lover  of  his  country — THE  UNION  SOLDIER'S 
BURIAL  GROUND,  which  is  laid  out  in  avenues,  and 


22  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

enclosed  with  a  Virginia  rail  fence;  each  grave  having 
a  headboard,  neatly  marked,  telling  the  hero's  name, 
his.  company  and  regiment.  In  this  sacred  enclosure 
lies  interred  those  who  have  sacrificed  their  lives  on 
their  country's  altar,  for  the  cause  of  Liberty.  In 
this  lonely  resting  place  on  the  plains  of  Yorktown, 
.sleeps  many  a  noble  boy,  far  from  his  home  and  kindred, 
with  no  kind  friend  to  drop  a  tear,  or  sing  a  funeral 
requiem. 

I  visited  this  spot  by  pale  moonlight,  when  all  was 
quiet.  Such  feelings  as  then  filled  my  breast  can  never 
again  be  realized,  for  they  come  but  once  in  a  lifetime. 

I  arrived  in  camp  late  in  the  evening  and  soon 
found  repose  on  my  rustic  couch,  falling  into  a  quiet 
slumber,  only  to  be  awakened  by  an  alarm  that  our 
pickets  had  been  driven  in  at  Williamsburgh,  with  a 
cry  of  "  To  arms !  to  arms ! "  from  the  shrill  bugle. 

The  thoughts  of  the  late  battle  are  still  fresh  in 
our  minds,  and  again  the  alarm  is  given,  all  expecting 
the  same  scenes  to  be  re-enacted.  The  battle  of  AYil- 
liamsburgh  was  the  first  field  of  blood  our  regiment 
had  witnessed. 

"  I  could  imagine,"  said  a  friend  of  mine,  who  was 
on  the  field  of  battle,  and  wandered  over  it,  "nothing 
more  terrible  than  the  silent  indications  of  agony  that 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  23 

marked  the  features  of  the  pale  corpses  which  lay  at 
every  step.  Though  dead  and  rigid  in  every  muscle, 
they  still  writhed  and  seemed  to  turn  to  catch  the 
passing  breeze  for  a  cooling  breath ;  staring  eyes,  gaping 
mouths,  clenched  hands  and  strangely  contracted  limbs, 
seemingly  drawn  into  the  smallest  compass,  as  if  by  a 
mighty  effort  to  rend  asunder  some  irresistible  bond 
which  held  them  down  to  the  torture  of  which  they 
died.  One  sat  against  a  tree,  and  with  mtmth  and  eyes 
open,  looked  up  into  the  sky,  as  if  to  catch  a  glance  at 
its  fleeting  spirit.  Another  had  grasped  his  faithful 
musket,  and  the  compression  of  his  mouth  told  of  deter 
mination  which  would  have  been  fatal  to  a  foe,  had  life 
ebbed  a  moment  later.  A  third  clung  with  both  hands 
to  a  bayonet  which  was  buried  in  the  ground.  Near 
by  lay  a  rebel  Major,  who  had  been  in  deadly  conflict 
with  five  Union  soldiers.  His  countenance  told  the 
terrible  conflict  he  had  just  encountered.  The  dead 
almost  covered  the  field.  The  wood  near  by  had  been 
set  on  fire  by  the  retreating  foe,  for  the  purpose  of 
burning  the  dead  who  had  fallen  there.  The  stench 
was  almost  impossible  to  endure  by  our  advancing 
column." 

£  The  Union  troops  had  fought  on  this  field  with  a 
steadiness  and  determination  rarely  witnessed,  and  this 


24  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

exhibition  of  their  courage  taught  a  lesson  to  Southern 
rebels,  of  a  spirit  that  they  had  not  expected  in  an 
enemy  whose  valor  they  had  been  accustomed  to  deride 
and  sneer  at,  since  the  commmencement  of  Yankee 
aggression,  as  they  termed  it. 

November  has  arrived,  bringing  no  chilly  winds 
nor  frosty  nights.  The  air  is  balmy,  and  the  wild 
flowers  are  jfet  in  bloom.  From  my  quarters  I  can 
see  the  boys  bathing  in  the  river;  also,  with  their  feet, 
digging  up  clams,  which  are  found  here  in  great 
abundance. 

Last  night  I  was  awakened  from  my  dreams  by 
music.  The  moon  was  shining  brightly,  throwing  her 
mild  rays  over  our  camp.  I  arose  anck  went  to  my 
tent  door,  from  which  I  saw  a  figure  robed  in  white, 
standing  in  the  centre  of  one  of  our  camp  streets, 
apparently  singing  to  the  moon.  The  song  was  a 
great  favorite  in  camp.  The  chorus  runs  thus: 

"  Roll  on,  silver  Moon,  guide  the  traveler  his  way, 

While  the  nightingale's  song  is  in  tune ; 
I'll  never,  never  more,  with  my  true  lover  stray, 
By  the  sweet  silver  light  of  the  Moon." 

A  crowd  soon  gathered  around  him,  dressed  in  tl^ 
robes  of  night,  presenting  a  very  comical  appearance. 


WANDEKING  THOUGHTS.  25 

The  officer  of  the  day  was  making  his  grand  'rounds; 
on  his  arrival,  he  ordered  the  men  to  their  quarters, 
and  reprimanded  the  gay  Lieutenant  for  molesting  the 
camp  after  "taps.77 

I  have  just  recovered  from  a  severe  attack  of  camp 
fever,  caused  by  the  want  of  proper  diet,  which  we  have 
not  been  able  to  obtain  for  the  last  three  months. 

Thanksgiving  has  brought  us  a  feast  of  fat  things. 
Through  the  exertions  of  our  surgeons  a  table  was  spread 
beneath  the  grateful  covering  of  two  large  tents,  the 
mild  autumnal  weather  allowing  the  entrance  to  them 
to  be  opened;  the  Southern  breeze  imparting  more  of  a 
genial  temperature  to  the  interior,  than  otherwise. 
After  a  blessing  by  the  Chaplain,  the  guests  drew 
around  the  sumptuous  board,  and  indulged  in  a  splen 
did  dinner,  such  as  had  not  satiated  the  appetite  of  any 
soldier  before,  during  the  Peninsular  campaign. 

This  little  gathering  of  friends  who  are  all  embarked 
in  one  common  cause,  assembling  to  commemorate  the 
day  of  general  thanksgiving  throughout  the  North, 
was  marked  by  universal  hilarity,  good  feeling,  and 
sentiments  abounding  in  wit,  from  the  fluent  tongues 
of  the  officers.  "The  Ked,  White  and  Blue"  was  sung 
in  fine  style,  by  one  of  the  guests,  and  the  ancient 

and  humorous  song  of  the  "  Hobbies,"  by  the  same,  the 

3 


26  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

chorus  by  the  cntitc  party.  "The  Sword  of  Bunker 
Hill "  was  also  beautifully  executed ;  all  of  which  added 

illy  to  the  festivities  of  the  day.  An  aged  Captain 
entertained  us  with  two  original  stories,  in  which  it 
was  easy  to  perceive  "where  the  laugh  came  in." 

The  toasts  finished  the  programme  of  the  day.  The 
iirst  was  given  by  our  Colonel:  "The  Commander-in- 
Chiefof  tin1  Army  and  Navy,  of  this  our  once  happy 
but  now  distracted  country, ' Honest  Old  Abe.'  Let  us 
each  stand  by  him  as  long  as  we  have  a  pulse  that  can 
beat,  or  a  drop  of  blood  that  can  be  spilt."  This  was 
received  with  demonstrations  of  applause,  and  was  as 
appropriate  as  patriotic. 

The  Colonel  is  laboring  under  great  physical  dis 
ability,  occasioned  by  his  wounds,  and  the  closing  sen 
tence  of  his  toast,  uttered  beneath  the  tattered  colors  of 
i he  rc/mieiit,  which  he  led  to  that  memorable  battle 
field,  was  nearly  verified  in  his  person. 

The  Chaplain  otlered  the  following:  "Our  Friends 
at  I  Ionic"  Responded  to  by  our  Surgeon  in  a  humorous 
and  happy  .-tyle,  in  which  he  said:  "On  this  occasion,  as 
well  as  many  others  during  the  past  few  months,  we 
have  adopted,  from  necessity, the  French  motto,  'When 
one  has  not  that  which  he  likes,  lie  must  like  that 
which  he  has/  but  my  friend's  allusion  to  home  remind.- 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  27 

us  it  cannot  always  serve,  so :  '  Here's  to  the  gal  I  left 
behind  me.7"  This  was  received  with  applause,  each 
one  sharing  with  the  Surgeon,  from  feelings  of  personal 
sympathy,  the  sentiments  embodied  in  his  toast. 

The  Assistant  Surgeon  proposed  the  following :  "  Our 
Colonel — may  he  be  speedily  restored  to  health,  and 
return  to  duty  among'  us."  A  hearty  endorsement  of 
this  expression  was  evinced  in  the  approbation  with 
which  it  was  received. 

The  following  was  also  given:  "Surgeons,  present 
and  absent;  may  they  never  stand  in  need  of  our  ser 
vices — nor  we  of  theirs." 

A  hearty  approval  of  the  two  concluding  toasts  was 
manifested,  and  with  expressions  of  thanks  to  the  gen 
tlemen  for  their  kindness  and  hospitality,  we  with 
drew,  just  as  the  echoes  of  the  sunset  gun  were  dying 
away  in  the  pine  forests. 

The  next  day  I  rode  out  on  horseback  to  survey 
the  earthworks  thrown  up  by  General  McClellan, 
during  his  advance  on  Yorktown.  They  were  many 
miles  in  length,  and  quite  formidable.  I  also  passed 
through  the  pond,  on  horseback,  where  the  Fifth  regi 
ment  of  Green  Mountain  boys  made  their  desperate 
charge  on  the  rebel  works.  Near  by  stood  an  Observa 
tory,  built  during  the  seige,  in  log  house  style,  with 


28  KAXDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

ladder  to  ascend  from  the  outside.  This  towered  up 
above  the  tallest  trees,  from  whose  top  could  be  viewed 
the  enemy's  movements.  On  my  return  to  camp,  my 
horse  fell,  throwing  me  headlong  on  tke  ground,  laying 
me  by  his  side,  "Like  a  warrior  taking  his  rest."  AVe 
both  arose  at  once.  I  mounted  him  and  rode  to  camp, 
feeling  somewhat  damaged. 

For  the  last  three  weeks  our  boys  have  been  build 
ing  winter  quarters,  which  the  chilly  winds  and  snows 
of  December  admonish  them  to  do.  They  have  just 
completed  them,  and  to-night  we  received  orders  to 
be  ready  to  embark  on  board  of  transports  for  some 
unknown  point.  The  camp  is  all  tumult  and  confu 
sion.  The  men  threatening  to  destroy  their  work, 
compelling  the  officers  to  use  severe  measures  to  quell 
insubordination. 

We  are  relieved  by  a  brigade  of  drafted  men  from 
Pennsylvania.  Many  of  them  are  substitutes,  and  have 
been  paid  as  high  as  a  thousand  dollars  by  the  princi 
pal.  IVfy  opinion  is,  that  they  will  not  make  the  sol 
diers  our  volunteers  do.  A  man  who  leaves  his  home, 
wife  and  little  ones,  and  all  that  is  dear  to  him,  is 
inspired  with  different  feelings  and  motives  from  those 
who  are  bought  or  forced  to  fight.  A  regiment  of  the 
latter  is  worth  a  brigade  of  the  former.  However, 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  29 

this  is  an  experiment  of  the  Government,  and  time 
will  show  whether  my  views  are  correct  or  not.  I  like 
the  voluntering  system,  for  on  that  strong  arm  must 
our  Government  depend  for  the  maintenance  of  her 
honor  and  the  perpetuity  of  her  free  institutions. 

Our  transports  sailed  southward,  stopping  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  where  we  were  transferred  to  other  vessels 
suitable  for  sea.  We  set  sail  with  sealed  orders.  Off 
Cape  Henry  they  were  to  be  opened.  As  we  passed 
out  to  sea  the  wind  freshened  somewhat,  but  the  sun 
went  down  in  glorious  cloiids  of  purple  and  crimson, 
and  the  evening  was  fair  and  calm  above  us.  During 
the  night  we  passed  Cape  Henry,  and  morning  dawn 
found  us  on  the  broad  ocean,  the  land  only  a  blue  line 
in  the  distance.  A  few  hours  and  that  disappeared. 

The  next  morning  I  was  oii*deck,  watching  the 
gradual  rising  of  the  sun  in  the  distant  waters.  The 
day  passed  quietly;  some  reading,  some  speculating  on 
the  probable  results  of  the  war,  while  others  were  lying 
sick  below,  in  their  berths,  and  some  casting  up  their 
accounts  over  the  bulwarks  of  the  vessel,  noting  the 
shifting  hues  and  forms  of  the  waves,  as  the  fish  swal 
lowed  the  contents  of  their  stomachs.  As  the  afternoon 

advanced,  the  clouds  began  to  gather,  and  the  distant 

*3 


30  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

roll  of  thunder  told  us  a  storm  was  fast  approaching. 
The  sun  was  hid  from  our  sight,  and  soon  the  dark 
mantle  of  night  covered  the  mighty  deep.  Naught 
was  heard  except  the  dull  roar  of  the  ocean,  and  the 
roll  of  the  distant  thunder.  The  white-crested  waves 
began  to  look  like  sheets  of  fire,  as  they  rolled  moun 
tains  high.  A  more  sublime  sight  my  eyes  never 
beheld.  No  pen  can  portray  the  grandeur  of  the  ocean 
in  a  storm. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  31 


1863 


IT  is  New  Year's  morning,  and  our  vessel  is  in  sight 
of  Fort  Macon,  where  can  be  seen  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
floating  from  her  ramparts.  They  were  hailed  with 
three  cheers  by  all  on  board,  and  a  welcome  to  our 
destined  port,  which  was  Beaufort,  North  Carolina. 

Our  vessel  soon  reached  the  wharf,  and  landed  our 
'  regiment  once  more  on  terra  firma,  six  hundred  strong. 
We  took  up  our  line  of  march  for  Carolina  City,  where 
we  encamped  in  shelter  tents,  which  each  man  carried 
with  him  as  a  part  of  his  baggage.  On  reaching  the 
city,  which  consisted  of  four  houses,  one  corn  crib,  two 
barns,  a  small  railroad  depot,  and  a  few  fishermen's  huts, 
we  pitched  our  tents,  stowed  ourselves  away  for  the 
night,  and  dreamed  of  the  festivities  of  home,  and  the 
little  ones  there.  The  heavy  march  of  that  day  will 
be  long  remembered  by  us  all.  The  weather,  for  this 
season  of  the  year,  was  very  pleasant  during  the  day, 

I 


32  RANDOM  SKETCHES 

although  the  nights  were  quite  cool.  Having  no  fire, 
and  sleeping  on  the  cold  earth,  made  it  rather  disagree 
able  for  those  who  had  enjoyed  better  quarters. 

While  we  lay  at  this  place  awaiting  further  orders, 
the  ffllowing  complimentary  address  was  issued  to  our 
brigade  by  the  General  commanding: 

"The  General  lately  commanding  the  brigade  most 
happily  takes  this  occasion  to  congratulate  the  officers 
and  soldiers  with  whom  he  has  been  so  intimately 
associated. 

"  While  memory  lasts,  it  will  continually  recur  to 
the  scenes  of  deprivation,  danger,  blood  and  battle, 
through  which  you  have  passed,  and  you  will  remem 
ber  your  inexperience  and  discontent,  and  then  your 
discipline  and  friendly,  happy  affiliation. 

"All  will  remember  with  regret  the  deadly  effects 
of  the  swamps  before  Yorktown. 

"You  were  the  first  in  advance  upon  Williams- 
burgh,  and  when  ordered  by  General  McClellan  to  sup 
port  General  Hancock,  the  enemy  gave  up  the  contest. 

"On  the  19th  of  May,  at  Bottoms  Bridge,  you 
waded  waist  deep  in  the  swamps  of  the  Chickahominy, 
you  drove  away  the  enemy,  and  were  the  first  to  cross 
that  stream. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  33 

"On  the  23d,  one  hundred  and  seventy  of  your 
number  made  a  reconnoissance  from  Bottoms  Bridge  to 
the  James  river,  near  Drury's  Bluff,  and  returned, 
bringing  valuable  information. 

"On  the  24th,  25th  and  26th,  after  other  troops  had 
failed,  you  made  the  gallant,  dashing  reconnoissance  of 
the  Seven  Pines,  driving  the  superior  force  of  General 
Stewart  from  Bottoms  Bridge  to  within  four  miles  of 
Richmond,  the  position  nearest  that  city  ever  occupied 
by  our  troops. 

"On  the  31st  of  May,  at  Fair  Oaks,  or  Seven 
Pines,  occupying  the  above  advance  position,  your 
brigade  made  the  most  desperate,  bloody  and  obstinate 
fight  of  the  war,  and  while  we  mourn  the  loss  of  one- 
half  of  our  comrades  in  arms,  you  have  the  consolation 
of  knowing  that  by  your  heroic  sacrifice  and  stubborn 
resistance  you  saved  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  from 
great  disaster. 

"On  the  27th,  28th  and  29th  of  June,  the  rebel 
General  Jackson  hurled  his  immense  force  upon  our 
right,  and  passed  that  flank  of  the  army,  and  turned 
with  extreme  solicitude  towards  the  rear  at  Bottoms 
Bridge,  which,  if  crossed,  would  result  in  irretreivable 
ruin;  and  it  should  be  a  source  of  great  pride  and 
satisfaction  in  the  future  to  remember  that  all  this 


34  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

intense  anxiety  was  dispelled,  and  all  breathed  with 
relief  and  felt  secure,  when  it  rapidly  ran  through  the 
army  that  Xaglee's  Brigade  had  destroyed  the  bridge, 
and  stood  night  and  day,  for  three  days,  in  the  middle 
of  the  Chickahominy,  successfully  and  continually 
resisting  its  passage. 

"Again,  on  the  following  day,  you  held  a  post 
of  the  greatest  importance  and  danger.  At  the  White 
Oak  Swamp  the  most  determined  efforts  of  the  enemy 
to  cross  the  bridge  in  pursuit  of  our  army  were 
thwarted  by  our  artillery,  and  you  stood  for  ten  hours 
supporting  it,  quiet  spectators  of  the  most  terrific 
cannonade,  while  other  regiments  were  only  kept  in 
place  by  being  ordered  back  when  they  approached 
your  lines.  Retreating  all  night,  you  stood  ready  in 
position  on  the  following  day,  expecting  to  be  ordered 
to  take  part  in  the  battle  of  Malvern  Hill. 

"  Retreating  again  all  night,  at  Carter's  Hill,  on  the 
second  of  July,  you  stood  by  the  artillery  and  w^agon 
train,  and,  when  all  expected  it  would  be  destroyed, 
you  brought  it  safely  to  Harrison  Landing. 

"During  December,  you  destroyed  a  dozen  large 
salt  works  in  Mathews  county,  Virginia,  and  drove 
the  Rangers  from  that  county,  as  well  as  from 
Gloucester,  Middlesex  and  King  and  Queens  counties; 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  35 

captured  large  herds,  intended  for  the  rebel  army,  and 
destroyed  all  their  barracks,  stables  and  stores. 

"  At  Yorktown,  from  August  to  the  end  of  Decem 
ber,  you  have  restored  the  works  at  that  place  and 
Gloucester  Point,  and  they  are  by  your  labor  rendered 
strong  and  defensible. 

"  Thus  is  yours  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  pass, 
and  the  last  to  leave,  the  Chickahominy;  and  while 
you  lead  the  advance  from  this  memorable  place  to  near 
Richmond,  you  were  last  in  the  retreating  column, 
when,  after  seven  days  of  constant  fighting,  it  reached 
a  place  of  security  and  rest  at  Harrison  Landing. 

"  Your  decendants  for  generations  will  boast  of  the 
gallant  conduct  of  the  regiments  to  which  you  belong, 
and  when  all  Ire  laid  in  the  dust,  History  will  still 
proclaim  the  glorious  deeds  performed  by  you. 

"Go  on.  'Truth  is  mighty  and  will  prevail/  Pre 
tenders  for  a  time  may  rob  you  of  your  just  deserts, 
but,  as  you  have  experienced,  their  evil  reports  will 
certainly  be  exposed — for  your  many  friends  at  home, 
ever  watchful  of  and  identified  with  your  reputation, 
will  see  that  justice  will  be  done. 

"A  new  page  in  your  history  is  about  to  be  written. 
Let  it  be  still  more  brilliant  than  that  already  known. 
Your  past  good  conduct  has  won  the  warmest  esteem 


36  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

and  confidence  of  your  late  brigade  commander.     He 
has  no  apprehensions  for  the  future." 

We  were  again  ordered  on  board  of  transports, 
which  lay  in  the  bay,  near  Fort  Macon.  At  sundown 
we  got  on  board,  amidst  a  heavy,  rolling  sea,  tossing 
our  vessel  to  and  fro,  which  told  plainly  Old  Neptune 
was  angry. 

After  much  delay  we  joined  the  expedition,  which 
consisted  of  fifty  vessels,  all  under,  the  command  of 
Major  General  Foster.  We  weighed  anchor  and  set 
sail  southward,  under  sealed  orders.  When  off  Wil 
mington  they  were  opened,  and  we  found  our  destina 
tion  to  be  Port  Royal,  South  Carolina.  The  sea 
continued  rough,  causing  much  sickneaf  on  board. 

After  a  sail  of  forty-eight  hours,  we  anchored  in 
Port  Royal  bay.  This  Department  is  commanded  by 
Major  General  Hunter.  A  misunderstanding  occurred 
between  the  two  Generals.  This  unhappy  difficulty 
delayed  the  purposes  of  the  expedition,  and  for  some 
days  the  troops  were  compelled  to  remain  on  board  the 
transports,  much  against  their  wishes.  The  difficulty 
was  finally  adjusted;  and,  after  running  up  to  Beau 
fort,  South  Carolina,  we  returned  and  landed  the 
troops  on  St.  Helena  Island. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  37 

After  the  troops  had  disembarked,  we  commenced 
unloading  the  stock,  which  is  rather  a  strange  sight 
to  a  landsman.  The  cattle  are  driven  through  the 
gangway  of  the  vessel*  into  the  sea,  the  water  being  too 
shallow  for  the  vessel  to  reach  the  shore,  which  made 
it  necessary  to  anchor  in  the  stream.  They  were  headed 
toward  the  shore,  by  some  of  the  crew,  in  boats.  They 
are  all  natural  swimmers,  and  soon  found  safety  on 
shore.  In>  this  way  many  thousands  can  be  unloaded 
in  a  very  short  time,  and  very  seldom  are  any  lost. 

The  horses  were  taken  from  the  hold  of  the  vessel 
by  means  of  a  sling  made  of  sackcloth  and  ropes, 
which  is  put  under  them,  passing  over  their  backs,  to 
which  a  block  and  tackle  is  attached;  they  are  then 
hoisted  to  the  main  deck  and  swung  over  the  side  of 
the  vessel,  by  means  of  a  yard  arm,  and  let  down  into 
the  sea,  where  they  are  detached  from  the  sling  and 
readily  swim  to  shore. 

It  is  quite  surprising  to  see  these  poor  animals  yield 
so  readily  when  once  off  their  feet,  hanging  in  mid  air. 
Many  of  them  were  terribly  bruized,  and  had  suffered 
much  during  the  voyage,  as  they  will  never  lay  down 
to  rest  while  on  shipboard ;  their  first  desire,  on  reach 
ing  land,  is  to  do  so,  that  they  may  rest  their  swollen 
limbs,  which  is  to  them  a  greater  luxury  than  feed. 


38  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

St  Helena  island  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the 
Sea  Islands,  and  is  noted  for  producing  the  finest  cot 
ton  in  the  world.  There  is  also  grown  here  large 
quantities  of  lemons  and  oranges.  I  visited  a  grove 
some  four  miles  from  our  camp,  consisting  of  several 
acres  of  trees,  from  which  I  cut  some  walking  sticks. 
There  is  an  old  dilapidated  mansion  here,  the  owners 
having  abandoned  it,  and,  I  was  informed,  had  joined 
the  rebel  army,  and  their  negroes  had  fled  to  our  lines 
for  safety  and  protection. 

This  old  mansion  bears  the  marks  of  time.  Every 
thing  appeared  to  be  going  to  waste.  It  no  doubt  was 
a  heritage  bequeathed  to  a  prodigal  son,  they  being  so 
common  in  the  Soutljn 

A  large  number  of  acres  on  this  plantation  were 
fitted  for  the  cultivation  of  rice,  on  land  situated  for 
overflow  of  water,  which  rice  requires  at  certain  stages 
of  its  growth.  The  building  is  used  as  a  signal  station 
by  our  Corps,  this  point  being  nearly  midway  from 
Hilton  Head  to  Beaufort. 

St.  Helena  Island  is  some  sixteen  miles  lon£  and 

o 

extends  from  Beaufort  to  the  ocean,  which  point  is 
termed  Landsend.  On  this  point  is  situated  Fort 
rd,  captured  by  our  navy. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  39 

I  visited  Beaufort,  which  lies  fourteen  miles  from 
Hilton  head,  on  an  island  of  that  name.  This  was 
once  the  most  aristocratic  place  in  the  South.  Our 
forces  found  it  entirely  abandoned  on  their  arrival  here, 
with  the  exception  of  one  man,  and  he  was  too  drunk 
to  get  away.  The  inhabitants,  in  their  flight,  left  all 
except  such  things  as  they  could  carry  with  them  and 
make  good  their  escape.  Many  of  them  were  made  to 
believe  the  Union  troops  wrere  Vandals,  who  only 
came  for  the  purpose  of  ravishing  their  womeii,  cap 
turing  their  negroes,  carrying  them  to  Cuba,  for  the 
purpose  of  selling  them,  the  proceeds  of  which  sales 
were  to  help  pay  the  expenses  of  the  war.  Many  of 
the  negroes  have  returned  and  are  now  occupying  the 
dwellings  of  their  former  masters,  and  enjoying  the 
privilege  of  using  a  walking-  stick,  and  smoking  a  cigar, 
which  was  considered  an  offence  before  the  Union  army 
came.  Such  was  Southern  liberty. 

At  this  place  I  found  a  regiment  of  Southern  troops 
(colored),  called  the  First  South  Carolina  Volunteers, 
all  well  armed  and  equipped,  and  they  compare  well 
with  any  troops  in  the  service,  that  I  have  seen.  Their 
courage  and  fighting  qualities  I  cannot  doubt — for  they 
love  liberty,  and  hate  slavery,  and  are  willing  to  fight 
for  their  freedom. 


40  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

Beaufort  is  pleasantly  situated  and  handsomely 
built,  having  many  fine  architectural  productions.  Its 
streets  are  wide,  and  well  shaded  with  trees.  !M«>st 
of  the  houses  have  gardens,  which  are  beautifully  laid 
out,  studded  with  shrubbery  of  all  kinds,  suitable  for 
the  climate,  and  for  all  seasons  of  the  year.  Fruit 
is  grown  in  large  abundance  here,  such  as  peaches, 
pears,  figs,  lemons,  oranges  and  pomegranates.  The 
trees  are  now  in  full  blow,  delighting  the  eye  of  the 
beholder  with  their  scarlet  blossoms. 

On  the  main  street,  facing  the  bay,  stands  the 
house  in  which  the  first  Secesh  meeting  was  held,  the 
residence  of  Barnwell  Rhett,  a  notorious  South  Caro 
lina  nullifier  and  traitor  of  the  Calhoun  school. 

As  I  stood  under  the  shade  of  a  magnificent  tree, 
gazing  intently  into  the  garden  which  surrounded  the 
mansion,  I  drank  in  the  quiet  spirit  of  the  scene.  I 
thought  how  base  a  use  this  noble  mansion  had  sub 
served.  Beneath  that  very  roof  and  these  garden  walks, 
with  its  budding  orange  groves  and  twining  myrtles, 
bcf  one  year  ago  sat  the  leading  traitors  of  our  country, 
de'v-berately  planning,  in  sober  council,  the  ruin  of  our 
Government.  Here,  on  this  very  spot,  was  nursed 
and  matured  this  gigantic  rebellion,  which  has  made 
so  many  widows  and  fatherless  children,  that  ambitious 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  41 

slave  owners  might  have  their  fling  at  the  best  Govern 
ment  in  the  world;  and  on  its  ruins  establish  one  instead, 
devoted  to  Slavery  and  Free  Trade. 

Nearby  stands  the  house  in  which  our  own  starry- 
eyed  Mitchell  died,  of  that  dreadful  disease,  yellow 
fever.  The  history  of  both  these  houses  are  significant, 
and  will  never  be  forgotton.  Off  to  the  right  is  a  quiet 
nook  in  the  bay,  near  which  stands  the  fine  old  man 
sion  of  Robert  Barnwell,  who  was  an  advocate  of  State 
Rights  and  Secession,  and  is  now  a  representative  in 
the  so-called  Confederate  Congress  at  Richmond. 

This  house  bears  the  marks  of  time.  Its  antique 
architecture,  its  rotten  columns,  decayed  verandah 
floors,  weather  beaten  sheathing  and  moss  covered 
roof,  all  tell  that  a  century  has  elapsed  since  its 
erection.  This  house  is  now  occupied  by  a  widow 
lady  and  her  two  daughters,  whose  charms  make  it  a 
resort  for  many  of  our  officers.  They  are  from  Boston, 
and  came  out  here  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  the 
blacks,  and  belonged  to  what  was  called  "Gideon's 
Band,"  a  set  of  fanatics  who  thought  the  negro  a  little 
better  than  the  white  man.  They  finally  abandoned 
the  Sisterhood  and  opened  an  officers'  boarding  house, 
which  they  found  far  more  profitable  and  congenial 
to  their  taste. 


42  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

During  my  stay  here,  I  received  an  invitation  to 
attend  a  marriage  ceremony,  which  took  place  at  the 
Episcopal  church,  in  the  evening.  General  Saxton 
was  the  recipient  of  the  hand  of  a  Miss  Tlymipson, 
formerly  of  the  band,  and  was  a  teacher  on  one  of  the 
plantations.  The  groom  was  dressed  in  full  military 
uniform;  the  bride  in  pure  white,  with  a  wreath  of 
flowers,  fresh  from  the  garden,  around  her  head.  The 
altar  and  pulpit  of  the  church  were  decorated  most 
beautifully  with  flowers  and  evergreens,  whose  per 
fumes  filled  the  house  with  delicious  odor.  This  was 
in  early  spring  time,  and  produced  a  most  charming 
effect  on  the  senses.  My  visit  to  Beaufort  was  pleasant, 
and  I  shall  long  remember  the  widow  and  her  charm 
ing  daughters. 

On  my  return,  I  stopped  at  Paris  Island.  Near 
the  landing  stands  a  low  roofed  veranded  house,  which 
is  so  common  in  the  South,  but  a  few  steps  from  where 
the  surf  beats  against  the  shore.  It  stands  in  a  wilder 
ness  of  roses,  orange  trees  and  tall  oleanders,  whose 
fragrance  filled  the  air,  and  was  scattered  far  around 
by  the  sea  breeze,  to  many  a  quiet  nook. 

A  camp  lay  in  the  distance,  each  tent  looking  like 
a  monument  erected  to  the  dead,  and  all  was  so  quiet, 
cool  and  shady,  accompanied  with  the  constant  mur- 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  43 

mur  of  the  ocean,  fills  the  air  with  so  pleasant  a 
dreaminess  that  I  thought  that  hither  one  might  come 
weary  of  the  busy  world  and  live  contented  forever. 

A  little  farther  down  is  seen  Hilton  Head,  with  her 
hundred  of  masts  peering  up  from  the  ocean,  and  the 
black  smoke  stacks  of  the  monstrous  ocean  steamers 
and  those  of  the  little  monitors,  sending  up  fire  and 
smoke,  as  if  Vulcan  had  his  forge  beneath  the  briny 
deep,  and  was  determined  to  make  us  smell  a  sulphurous 
pit  before  .our  i^ne. 

The  Arago  had  just  arrived  at  Hilton  Head,  from 
the  North,  loaded  with  a  thousand  different  articles  to 
supply  the  wants  of  the  soldiers.  A  great  crowd 
gathered  around  the  Express  and  Postoffice,  each  one 
eager  to  receive  his  packages  and  letters  first  from  the 
office  of  distribution. 

The  whistle  blew  and  the  bell  rang,  followed  by  a 
shout,  "  All  on  board ! "  which  brought  the  passengers, 
and  the  Planter,  with  her  black  pilot,  Robert  Small, 
left  for  St.  Helena  Island.  This  was  the  same  craft 
that  left  Charleston  by  the  inland  waters,  and  came  to 
Beaufort  unmolested,  much  to  the  astonishment  of  the 
natives  and  officer  in  command  at  that  place.  The  last 
dying  rays  of  a  Southern  sunset  had  disappeared,  when 
the  black  Captain  landed  me  at  St.  Helena.  I  reached 


44  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

camp  just  as  the  echos  of  the  evening  gun  were  dying  on 
the  distant  waters.  The  inspirational  feelings  a  sunset 
produces  here  cannot  be  described  by  tongue  nor  pen. 

To-day  our  regiment  was  inspected,  after  which 
they  formed  a  hollow  square,  and  from  the  center  was 
read  the  following  patriotic  resolutions,  which  were 
unanimously  adopted  by  the  regiment: 

"  The  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Eighty-first  Regi 
ment  New  York  Volunteers,  citizens  %f  the  State  of 
New  York,  having  no  recent  opportunity  of  joining 
their  voices  with  those  of  her  loyal  citizens  at  home, 
deem  it  proper  in  this  .manner  to  express  their  views 
and  sentiments  in  regard  to  events  and  measures  now 
absorbing  the  attention  of  the  country,  to  the  end  that 
our  friends  at  the  North  may  strengthen  their  faith  in 
our  cause  and  increase  their  zeal  for  the  suppression 
of  the  rebellion  against  which  we  fight ;  therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  our  Government,  which  started 
with  principles  declared,  objects  and  aims  set  forth, 
that  must  challenge  the  admiration  of  mankind,  and 
that  cost  as  much  of  patriot  blood  and  treasure,  hard 
ship  and  privation,  as  was  required  to  maintain  and 
prosecute  seven  years  war  with  one  of  the  most  power 
ful  nations  of  the  world,  is  now  worth  as  firm  pledges 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  45 

and  determined  support  as  a%  the  beginning  of  its 
existence,  and  that  it  may  justly  demand  and  exact 
them  of  its  citizens;  therefore,  we  hail  with  joy  the 
recent  action  of  Congress,  placing  in  the  hands  of  the 
President  power  and  means  adequate  for  such  purpose. 

"Resolved,  That,  while  white  men  are  liable  to  con 
scription,  and  their  property  to  appropriation,  there  can 
be  no  valid  reason  why  'other  persons/  whose  rights 
above  all  others,  have  become  involved  in  the  issue  of 
this  contest,  should  be  exempted  or  prohibited  from 
giving  such  aid  and  support  to  our  cause  as  they  may 
give,  and  that  whenever  and  wherever  a  colored  man 
may  become  available  in  suppressing  the  rebellion,  then 
and  there  his  services  should  be  required. 

"Resolved,  That  when  we  enlisted  in  our  country's 
service,  we  put  aside  all  political  differences,  and  left 
our  homes  to  sustain  her  flag,  maintain  its  glory  and 
fame,  and  rather  than  see  one  star  stricken  from  its 
azure  field,  or  one  stripe  torn  from  its  borders,  we 
would  see  every  rod  of  territory  in  which  this  viper, 
Rebellion,  nests,  a  desolate  waste  of  savage  wilderness ; 
sooner  than  consent  to  a  peace  that  shall  tarnish  its 
glory,  or  sully  its  fame,  we  would  lay  our  bones  to 
bleach  beside  the  graves  of  our  fallen  comrades,  upon 
soil  already  hallowed  by  their  blood. 


46  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

"  Resokcd,  That  if  tRc  time  comes  when  our  country 
requires  that  our  thinned  ranks  be  filled,  and  her 
strength  be  replenished,  we  will  look  for  prompt  and 
cheerful  acquiesence  at  home,  and  able  and  substantial 
men  to  help  us;  and  if  at  home  any  remain  whose 
cowardice  conquers  their  patriotism,  or  whose  mer 
cenary  love  of  gold  exceeds  their  love  of  their  coun 
try's  honor,  we  leave  them  to  the  scorn  and  indignation 
of  our  mothers,  wives  and  sisters,  whose  prayers  and 
hands  are  ever  raised  to  sustain  and  comfort  us  here." 

A  grand  review  of  all  the  troops  on  the  island  came 
off  to-day.  They  were  reviewed  by  Major  General 
Hunter  and  staff.  We  were  also  favored  with  the 
presence  of  his  lady,  which  was  quite  a  curiosity  to 
many  soldiers,  as  some  had  not  seen  a  lady  for  months, 
and  it  was  really  refreshing,  like  an  oasis  in  the  desert 
to  the  weary  traveler. 

The  troops  numbered  about  15,000,  and  were  com 
plimented  by  the  General  for  their  soldierly  appearance 
and  discipline.  He  also  complimented  our  regiment 
for  their  taste  and  love  of  the  beautiful,  as  displayed 
by  our  men  in  decorating  their  quarters  and  grounds, 
which  was  mostly  done  with  palm  and  palmetto  trees, 
and  presented  a  very  pretty  appearance. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  47 

On  the  fifth  of  April,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
three,  all  the  troops  embarked  on  board  of  transports 
for  Charleston,  South  Carolina.  Our  regiment  was 
assigned  to  the  steamship  City  of  Bath.  During  the 
night  the  troops  were  got  on  board,  and  at  daybreak 
we  were  ready  to  sail. 

The  morning  is  beautiful  and  clear  The  God  of 
day  has  just  arisen  from  his  repose.  A  fine  breeze  is 
blowing  from  the  west,  all  anchors  are  raised,  and  the 
entire  division  is  moving  toward  that  hotbed  of  treason, 
Charleston.  The  first  division  left  during  the  night, 
accompanied  by  General  Hunter  and  staff.  The  day 
was  pleasant,  and  it  being  Sunday,  our  Chaplain 
preached  from  the  hurricane  deck.  He  gave  us  a  fine 
discourse,  forcibly  impressing  on  the  minds  of  the 
soldiers  their  duty  to  their  God  and  their  country. 

About  5  o'clock  we  anchored  at  the  mouth  of  the 
North  Edisto  river.  We  were  piloted  up  the  Edisto 
and  anchored  opposite  a  small  village  called  Rockville, 
which  is  situated  on  a  tributary  of  the  Edisto.  We 
lay  here  for  five  days,  which  time  was  mostly  occupied 
in  gathering  shells  on  the  beach,  and  oysters,  which 
grow  here  in  their  natural  state.  There  appeared  acres 
of  them  when  the  tide  was  out,  growing  upright  in 
clusters  like  grains  of  wheat  in  the  head.  Many  of 


48  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

them  arc  large,  of  fine  flavor,  and  nearly  as  good  as 
those  cultivated  at  the  Xorth. 

This  morning  a  party  of  six,  including  myself, 
made  a  reconnoissance  of  Rockville.  AVe  went  in  a 
small  boat.  When  we  arrived  within  gunshot,  I 
minutely  examined  the  place  with  a  field  glass.  No 
living  thing  could  be  discovered.  All  was  quiet,  and 
seemed  entirely  abandoned.  AVe  had  been  informed 
that  a  rebel  regiment  lay  just  in  the  rear  of  the  village, 
in  a  thick  wood,  in  which  they  were  secreted.  The 
next  day  our  mortar  boats  sent  over  some  shell,  which 
no  doubt  disturbed  them. 

Our  evenings  have  passed  away  quite  pleasantly; 
each  evening  we  have  what  is  called  a  circus  on  board. 
The  performance  consisted  of  singing,  dancing  and 
recitations  from  dramatic  authors;  all  of  which  wen.1 
executed  much  to  the  credit  of  the  artists.  The 
audience  room  was  the  cabin  in  which  we  ate,  slept, 
and  performed.  The  real  circus  took  place  after  tattoo, 
which  consisted  of  grand  and  lofty  tumbling  by  th<»r 
who  imbibed  whisky  too  freely.  The  more  sober  ones 
laughed  at  their  folly,  and  usually  put  the  artists  to 
bed  about  midnight,  when  peace  and  quiet  was 
restored.  The  soldier's  life  has  its  bright  side  as  well 
as  its  dark  one. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  49 

Two  days  after  our  arrival  at  this  place,  at  4  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  the  first  ball  was  fired  from  our  iron 
clads  at  Fort  Sumter.  The  firing  continued  from  the 
ironclads  and  sand  batteries  along  the  shore  until  dark. 
The  next  day  a  council  of  war  was  held,  which,  after 
deliberation,  concluded  not  to  continue  the  assault. 

On  the  tenth  of  April,  at  noon,  our  division  was 
ordered  back  to  Port  Royal.  We  weighed  anchor  and 
the  whole  fleet  set  out  for  sea.  In  crossing  the  bar 
our  vessel  struck  four  times,  and  so  hard  as  to  throw 
her  boilers  out  of  place,  which  produced  leakage.  The 
pumps  were  set  at  work,  and  a  flag  of  distress  hoisted, 
which  brought  the  Key  West  to  our  relief.  She  took 
us  in  tow,  bringing  us  in  safety  to  Hilton  Head  on 
the  following  morning. 

Here  we  disembarked.  It  was  near  sundown  before 
we  took  up  our  line  of  march  for  our  camping  ground, 
which  lay  about  three  miles  out,  and  was  beyond  the 
fortifications.  It  was  midnight  when  we  arrived  there 
with  our  camp  equipage.  We  were  all  much  fatigued, 
and  bivouaced  for  the  night,  with  the  blue  sky,  filled 
with  twinkling  stars,  for  our  covering.  I  soon  fell 
into  the  arms  of  Morpheus,  and  was  lost  to  all  the 
hardships  of  war,  and  the  pleasant  memory  of  home, 


50  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

which  so  often  cheers  the  weary  and  lonely  hours,  and 
makes  life  light  and  free  from  care. 

Hilton  Head  is  an  island  on  which  Port  Royal 
postoffice  is  situated.  It  is  one  of  the  Sea  Islands,  and 
is-  chiefly  used  for  the  cultivation  of  cotton.  On  the 
northeast  end  is  situated  Fort  Walker,  which  was 
taken  at  the  same  time  Fort  Beauregard  surrendered. 

The  fortifications  on  this  island  are  immense,  occu 
pying  an  area  of  some  two  hundred  acres,  which  is 
mostly  stockaded  and  deeply  intrenched.  The  soil  is 
a  pale  yellow  sand,  instead  of  a  black  mold,  which  I 
expected  to  find  it,  and  which  seemed  useless  for  agri 
cultural  purposes,  until  I  noticed  it  glistened  with 
white  particles,  which  I  found  to  be  pulverized  shell. 
It  is  this  that  gives  the  soil  its  strength  and  sustenence. 

The  principal  trees  which  grow  here  are  the  pal 
metto  and  live  oak.  The  latter  is  a  straggling  grower, 
making  an  immense  shade,  for  which  purpose  they  are 
often  times  transplanted.  At  a  distance  they  resemble 
our  apple  trees,  both  in  foliage  and  form.  The  former 
grows  upright,  free  from  limbs  a  distance  of  ten  and 
sometimes  fifteen  feet.  At  the  top  of  the  trunk  their 
leaves  spread  out  in  great  abundance,  resembling  an 
umbrella,  making  a  beautiful  shade  for  the  negro  driver 
to  sit  under,  when  the  sun  is  too  scorching  to  use  the 


THOUGHTS.  51 

whip.  These  trees  are  interspersed  all  over  the  cotton 
fields,  and  I  was  informed  that  they  were  left  for  that 
purpose.  The  wood  is  porous,  resembling  cork,  and 
is  said  to  last  longer  in  salt  water  than  any  other  kind 
of  timber. 

In  the  tops  of  these  trees,  where  the  young  leaves 
are  found,  grows  a  kind  of  cabbage,  which  is  eaten  by 
the  negroes,  and  is  said  to  very  much  resemble  our 
cabbage  in  flavor. 

Here,  early  in  the  month  of  March,  I  found  flowers 
in  full  bloom,  of  almost  every  color,  whose  fragrance 
filled  the  air  with  perfume.  The  jasmin  grows  rankly 
in  this  loose  sand,  as  well  as  the  rose  and  honeysuckle. 
The  orange  trees  were  white  with  blossoms.  The 
magnolia  was  just  opening  her  spicy  mouth,  sending 
forth  her  delicious  breath  on  the  evening  air. 

Oh,  how  delightful  it  is  to  wander  amid  those 
groves  by  moonlight,  and  think  of  loved  ones  far 
away!  In  such  hours  as  these  memory  brings  to  us 
our  earliest  and  fondest  associations,  yet  still  I  am 
discontented  and  sigh  for  something  better  than  earth 
can  give. 

The  landscape  in  this  region  of  country  is  rather 
monotonous,  its  carriage  drives  miserable,  and  by-paths 
tedious.  In  my  rambles  now  and  then  I  found  a 


52  KANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

quiet  nook,  which  speaks  of  a  peace  that  the  sur 
rounding  war  lias  not  yet  succeeded  in  disturbing. 
All  the  day  long  the  birds  sing  merrily,  of  which  the 
mocking  bird  is  Queen,  not  in  beauty  but  in  song. 
She  sends  forth  her  notes  in  all  the  varied  tones. 
Sometimes  she  has  the  hoarse  caw  of  the  crow,  then 
the  mew  of  the  cat,  and  then  her  own  peculiarly  sweet 
voice.  These  little  natives  of  the  forest  are  so  free 
from  want  and  care  that  man  may  really  envy  them 
their  happiness. 

We  lay  at  Hilton  Head  only  two  days,  when  we 
received  orders  to  proceed  to  Newbern,  North  Carolina, 
for  the  purpose  of  reinforcing  General  Foster.  The  sky 
began  to  darken,  and  the  winds  commenced  blowing 
a  perfect  gale,  with  heavy  rain.  The  transports  which 
were  to  convey  us  to  that  place  could  not  reach  the 
wharf,  and  were  obliged  to  lay  at  anchor  in  the  bay 
until  the  storm  subsided.  Our  quarters  became  flooded 
with  water,  making  them  untenable,  and  myself  and 
tent-mate  concluded  to  abandon  them;  so  we  started 
through  the  rain  for  the  beach,  where  the  headquarters 
of  the  brigade  were  established.  It  was  very  dark, 
and  we  lost  our  direction,  which,  after  an  hour's  travel, 
brought  us  on  the  beach,  about  a  mile  above  the  point 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  53 

we  were  trying  to  make*  following  the  shore  until  we 
arrived  at  the  camp,  where  we  found  good  quarters  for 
the  night;  but  we  were  drenching  wet,  which  made  us 
feel  rather  uncomfortable. 

That  night,  for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  I  slept 
on  the  ocean  shore,  and  enjoyed  its  deep,  sweet  music. 
I  felt  that  the  Poet  fully  realized  it  all,  when  he  said : 

"There  is  a  pleasure  in  the  pathless  woods; 

There  is  a  rapture  on  the  lonely  shore ; 
There  is  society  where  none  intrudes, 

By  the  deep  sea,  and  music  in  its  roar, 
From  this  our  interview,  in  which  I  steal 

From  all  I  may  be,  or  have  been  before, 
To  mingle  with  the  Universe,  and  feel 

What  I  can  ne'er  express,  yet  cannot  all  conceal." 

Morning  came  with  a  cloudless  sky.  The  sun  came 
peeping  up  from  his  ocean  bed,  where  he  had  slum 
bered  for  the  night,  and  kissed  the  horizon  with  his 
effulgent  rays,  which  betokened  a  pleasant  day  for  our 
anticipated  journey.  We  struck  our  tents,  and  took 
a  double  quick  for  the  transport  Belvidere,  which  lay 
waiting  for  us.  The  afternoon  was  far  advanced  when 
the  troops  and  camp  equipage  was  on  board. 

At  sundown  we  passed  over  the  bar,  and  was  once 
more  on  the  billows  of  the  deep  blue  sea,  and  soon 

Port  Royal  lay  far  in  the  distance,  appearing  to  us  like 

*5 


54  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

a  huge  bank  of  sand.  I  took  my  blanket  and  lay 
down  on  the  deck  for  the  night,  as  berths  could  not 
be  had.  I  found  it  quite  wet  and  uncomfortable.  AVre 
made  good  headway  during  the  night  and  the  following 
day,  and  at  night  anchored  off  Cape  Lookout 

Early  the  next  morning  we  entered  Old  Topsail 
inlet,  passed  under  the  guns  of  Fort  Macon,  and  landed 
at  Morehead.  From  here  we  took  the  cars  for  New- 
bern,  arriving  there  at  sundown,  and  encamped  along 
the  Goldsboro  Railroad,  under  the  guns  of  Fort  Rowan. 
During  the  night  we  received  marching  or<Jers  to  move 
at  daylight,  with  five  days  rations.  Early  dawn  found 
our  regiment  ready  for  the  march,  and  eager  for  the 
raid  which  had  been  promised  them.  But,  to  our  great 
disappointment,  the  orders  were  countermanded.  A\  e 
remained  here  until  the  second  day  of  May,  when  our 
regiment  was  ordered  to  Beaufort,  Fort*  Macon  and 
Morehead.  Our  headquarters  were  established  at  the 
latter  place,  on  Calico  creek. 

This  morning,  May  18th,  a  party  of  fifty,  myself 
being  one  of  the  number,  started  on  a  pony  hunt,  as 
it  is  called  here,  which  was  to  take  place  about  eighteen 
miles  off,  on  Shackleford  banks,  which  lay  to  the  east 
ward.  Pony  penning  was  something  new  to  us  soldiers, 
and  we  were  all  excited  for  the  sport. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  55 

We  had  chartered  a  small  steamboat,  and  took  in 
tow  a  flatboat  and  a  small  sail  boat,  which  we  under 
stood  would  be  necessary  to  land  us  on  shore,  as  the 
water  was  very  shallow  at  that  point.  The  day  .was 
beautiful.  The  forest  trees  were  dressed  in  their 
loveliest  foliage,  which  is  so  pleasing  to  the  eye  after 
a  cold,  bleak  winter.  We  sailed  about  fifteen  miles 
in  the  steamer,  when  suddenly  we  ran  aground,  and 
found  it  impossible  to  proceed  any  further,  as  the  tide 
was  fast  falling,  so  we  got  on  board  the  flatboat,  hoisted 
all  sail  and  went  three  miles  further,  when  we  grounded 
with  her.  The  only  alternative  left  us  was  to  jump 
overboard  and  wade  to  shore,  or  have  the  negroes 
carry  us,  who  were  anxiously  waiting  in  the  distance 
for  a  job.  Some  of  the  party  brought  them  to  their 
relief,  but  most  of  us  concluded  to  take  our  own  con 
veyance.  When  we  arrived  at  the  shore*  we  found  a 
swamp,  which  we  had  to  pass  through  for  nearly  a 
mile  before  we  could  reach  dry  land,  and  see  the  pony 
penning. 

We  were  fast,  and  had  to  face  the  difficulty.  The 
negroes  led  the  way  with  their  passengers  on  their 
backs,  and  we  followed,  going  up  to  our  knees  in  mud 
and  water.  It  was  a  rather  comical  sight  to  see  the 
negroes  with  men  on  their  backs,  larger  than  them- 


56  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

selves,  puffing  and  blowing  as  if  ready  to  fall  beneath 
their  weight.  Suddenly  one  of  them  fell,  throwing 
his  rider  headlong  into  the  mud.  One  grand  hurrah 
went  up  from  the  crowd,  and  for  a  few  moments  was 
heard  some  tall  swearing  from  the  unfortunate  rider, 
who  accused  the  darkey  of  falling  on  purpose  to  amuse 
us  footmen  in  the  rear,  for  which  he  threatened  to  shoot 
him,  in  case  of  its  recurrence.  He  mounted  the  negro 
again,  pistol  in  hand,  and  off  they  went,  the  negro  land 
ing  his  rider  in  safety. 

A  short  distance  brought  us  to  the  pens.  There 
we  found  a  crowd  of  Secesh,  some  two  hundred,  mostly 
red  haired,  lantern-faced  gentlemen.  Many  of  the 
wild  ponies  had  been  caught  and  penned.  The  pens 
are  yards  enclosed  with  a  rail  fence  some  eight  feet 
high.  After  they  are  secured  in  these  yards,  the 
negroes  go  iA  and  capture  such  as  they  wish  to  brand, 
bringing  them  out  and  throwing  them  down,  when 
the  brand  is  applied  to  the  fore  shoulder,  which  has 
the  marks  of  the  owner  on  it.  Such  ponies  as  are  not 
sold  are  again  allowed  to  run  at  large.  These  ponies 
run  wild  and  live  in  the  marshes,  on  wild  grass,  digging 
their  own  wells  for  fresh  water,  with  their  feet.  They 
grow  from  six  to  eight  hands  high.  Some  are  finely 
formed,  and,  it  is  said,  will  endure  much  fatigue. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  57 

I  soon  became  tired  of  pony  penning,  and  took  a 
stroll  across  the  island,  through  the  deep  and  burning 
sand.  The  sun  was  -excessively  hot,  and  I  was  glad 
to  reach  the  beach,  where  I  could  lay  down  to  rest. 
Here  was  a  grand  sight.  The  tide  was  coming  in. 
The  waves  were  tossing  and  rolling  like  boiling  water; 
I  saw  a  vessel  in  the  distance,  which  seemed  forcing 
its  way  through  the  mighty  surges,  as  if  seeking  a 
safe  harbor. 

Immense  numbers  of  sea  gulls  infest  these  shores. 
The  air  seemed  filled  with  them.  Their  screams  were 
heard  from  every  direction.  These  birds  live  mostly 
on  fish,  and  crumbs  which  float  on  the  surface  of  the 
water.  They  follow  vessels  for  miles  for  the  refuse 
thrown  overboard. 

While  I  lay  here  gazing  on  the  mighty  deep,  I 
realized  what  the  Poet  expressed  when  he  wrote : 

"  Roll  on,  thou  deep  and  dark  blue  ocean,  roll ; 

Ten  thousand  fleets  sweep  over  thee  in  vain ; 
Man  marks  the  earth  with  ruin ;  his  control 
Stops  with  the  shore ;  upon  the  watery  plain 

The  wrecks  are  all  thy  deeds,  nor  doth  remain 
A  shadow  of  man's  ravage,  save  thine  own 

When  for  a  moment,  like  a  drop  of  rain, 
He  sinks  into  thy  depths  with  bubbling  groan, 
Without  a  grave,  unknelled,  uncoffined  and  unknown." 


68  RAXDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

I  found  large  quantities  of  shell  and  coral  along  the 
shore,  which  had  been  washed  up  from  the  bed  of  the 
ocean.  I  loaded  myself  with  them  and  started  back 
for  the  pony  pen.  On  arriving  here  I  found  quite 
a  lively  speculation  going  on  in  the  purchase  of  those 
little  animals.  After  the  sales  were  closed,  we  started 
back  for  the  boat,  once  more  to  wade  through  the  mud. 
The  ponies  were  put  on  board  the  flats,  which  had 
reached  the  shore,  it  being  high  tide.  Our  party  took 
a  small  boat  and  sailed  down  to  the  steamer,  where  a 
fish  and  champagne  dinner  was  awaiting  us.  We 
enjoyed  the  dinner  much,  and  the  table  bore  witness 
of  the  fact  when  we  left  it.  The  boat  was  still 
aground,  and  could  not  be  moved.  So  a  party  of  six 
of  us  took  a  small  boat  and  set  sail  for  Morehcad, 
leaving  the  others  to  enjoy  the  festivities  of  the  night, 
which  were  already  running  high,-  owing  to  the 
uncorking  of  too  many  bottles.  AVe  reached  our 
camp  shortly  after  dark.  I  was  much  fatigued,  and 
had  my  fill  of  pony  penning  in  North  Carolina. 

The  beautiful  month  of  June  is  with  us.  The 
nights  and  days  arc  mild  yet,  although  the  sun  has 
reached  its  highest  altitude.  Every  tree,  plant  and 
shrub,  looks  fresh  and  beautiful,  which  betokens  a 


WANDEKING  THOUGHTS.  59 

plentiful  harvest  to  t*he  planter  who  has  cultivated  the 
soil  and  sown  the  seed  for  nature  to  do  its  work.  This 
evening  I  took  a  stroll  along  the  rifle  pits,  which 
extend  from  Bogue  Sound  to  Calico  creek.  On  my 
return  to  camp,  much  to  my  surprise,  I  found  my 
wife,  who  had  just  arrived  from  the  North.  She  had 
come  all  the  way  by  water,  having  been  eight  days  at 
sea,  in  a  schooner.  Four  other  ladies  arrived  in  camp 
at  the  same  time,  on  a  visit  to  their  "Liege  Lords." 
We  fitted  up  our  tents  quite  comfortably,  and  passed 
a  few  weeks  very  pleasantly,  leaving  the  ladies  in 
charge  of  the  camp  while  we  were  off  on  raids,  which 
were  of  frequent  occurrence. 

The  burning  sun  of  July  is  now  pouring  down  its 
most  fierce  heat.  To-night  we  go  on  a  raid  up  the 
Trent  river,  taking  the  cars  to  Newbern.  On  the 
morning  of  the  4th  we  commenced  our  march  toward 
Wilmington.  We  were  gone  six  days,  having  marched 
some  ninety  miles  through  sand  and  burning  sun, 
bivouacing  along  the  roads  at  night.  We  captured 
several  prisoners,  negroes,  horses,  and  a  large  quantity 
of  stores,  having  but  little  fighting  with  the  enemy, 
returning  to  camp  pretty  well  used  up,  most  of  the 
men  being  shoeless.  » 


60  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

Our  boys  had  scarcely  recovered  from  their  sore 
feet  before  we  were  ordered  on  a  raid  up  Chowan  river, 
through  Hertford  county.  We  took  the  cars  for  New- 
bern,  arriving  on  the  banks  of  the  Trent  river  at  mid 
night,  where  we  cooked  three  days'  rations,  after  which 
the  troops  were  put  on  board  of  transports,  and  at  day 
light  sailed  down  the  Neuse  river  into  the  Pamlico 
Sound,  passing  Fort  Hatteras,  which  is  situated  on 
Roanoke  Island;  thence  passing  into  the  Albemarle 
Sound,  where  we  took  in  tow  some  bridges,  which 
were  to  be  used  on  our  expedition.  We  ascended  the 
Chowan  river  about  sixty  miles,  and  landed  our  troops 
near  Winton.  Our  artillery  were  drawn  up  the  hill 
by  the  men  and  placed  in  position.  Our  negro  troops 
soon  captured  some  horses  and  brought  them  in,  and 
attached  them  to  the  field  pieces,  which  were  soon  after 
used  on  the  enemy.  At  night  two  thousand  cavalry 
arrived  from  Portsmouth,  by  way  of  Dismal  Swamp. 
They  were  passed  over  the  Chowan  river  on  the 
bridges  we  had  brought  with  us,  using  our  steamboats 
for  butments,  they  being  anchored  in  the  stream,  equal 
distance  apart,  suitable  for  the  span.  In  less  than  two 
hours  we  passed  over  all  the  cavalry  in  safety,  with 
their  howitzers  and  stores.  This  was  a  feat  which  has 
seldom  be^p  excelled. 


THOUGHTS.  61 

Our  infantry  visited  Winton  and  Murfreesboro, 
while  our  cavalry  advanced  within  ten  miles  of  Wei- 
don,  and  were  driven  back  by  some  six  thousand 
rebels,  whom  they  found  strongly  intrenched  at  Jack 
son.  Our  cavalry  made  a  charge,  in  which  they  cap 
tured  sixty  prisoners  and  two  hundred  head  of  horses. 

At  Winton  the  infantry  encountered  some  two  hun 
dred  rebels,  and  drove  them  from  their  breastworks, 
they  leaving  tents  and  equipage  behind,  which  fell  into 
our  hands. 

Mount  Tabor  Church  stood  near  by,  in  a  beautiful 
grove  of  trees,  in  which  one  of  our  regiments  made 
their  quarters  during  their  short  stay.  Our  regiment 
bivouced  in  the  woods,  just  beyond  the  village. 

There  was  a  great  scarcity  of  food  here,  and  many 
of  us  officers  had  to  resort  to  foraging  on  our  own 
account,  which  was  contrary  to  orders  issued,  but 
"necessity  knows  no  law."  On  one  occasion  a  party 
of  three  were  privately  detailed,  on  their  own  applica 
tion,  who  guaranteed  to  furnish  all  the  provisions  for 
our  mess  the  country  afforded,  on  condition  that  we 
would  protect  them  against  punis*hment,  which  was 
agreed  to  by  the  Captain  of  the  company,  from  which 
the  detail  was  made,  which  company  was  known  as  the 
"Forty  Thieves." 


62  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

I  furnished  them  transportation,  which  consisted 
of  a  cart  and  a  jackass.  The  next  thing  was  to  pass 
them  through  the  picket  line,  which  I  volunteered  to 
do,  and  which  was  very  well  executed  by  an  under 
standing  with  the  picket  guard,  that  they  were  a  party 
after  forage  for  our  horses,  which  came  within  orders. 

The  party  did  not  return  to  camp  until  late  at 
night,  when  they  were  brought  in  by  a  guard,  who 
had  arrested  them  as  deserters.  Their  cart,  however, 
was  well  filled  with  geese,  ducks,  chickens,  sweet 
potatoes,  &c.,  which  the  guard  intended  to  take  to  the 
general  headquarters.  Some  of  us,  who  were  in  the 
secret  of  the  expedition,  parleyed  with  the  guard,  while 
under  the  cover  of  night  others  secreted  the  contents 
of  the  cart  in  a  cornfield  near  by,  unhitched  the  jack 
and  drove  him  off  into  the  woods. 

Our  commanding  officer  ordered  the  foraging  party 
to  be  locked  up,  after  which  the  guard  returned  for 
their  booty,  but  to  their  disappointment  found  the 
contents  of  the  cart  had  disappeared. 

By  a  little  sharp  practice,  the  boys  were  released 
during  the  night,  for  the  purpose  of  dressing  the  fowls 
they  had  captured  and  dividing  the  spoils  among  those 
interested,  which  was  done  in  good  faith,  and  to  the 
satisfaction  of  all  parties. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  63 

The  next  day  our  commanding  officer  was  invited 
to  dinner.  He  had  played  dummy  all  through  the 
act,  and  was  as  "deep  in  the  mud  as  the  boys  were  in 
the  mire/7  although  they  were  not  cognizant  of  the 
*  fact.  I  made  the  remark  that  I  thought  he  had  been 
rather  severe  on  the  boys,  whose  acts  were  affording 
us  so  much  pleasure  at  present.  He  at  once  ordered 
them  to  be  returned  to  their  company,  with  the  under 
standing  that  they  were  to  be  tried  for  violating  the 
articles  of  war,  on  their  return  to  camp.  The  charges 
against  them  were  never  presented  by  their  Captain, 
and  were,  of  course,  forgotten. 

While  here  I  was  told  by  one  of  the  natives  that 
Kenneth  Kaynor  had  lately  made  a  speech  to  them, 
in  which  he  said  the  Yankees  were  a  set  of  cowards, 
and  wore  not  the  human  form,  but  had  horns  pro 
truding  from  their  heads,  and  that  they  were  incapable 
of  riding  a  horse  or  firing  a  gun.  This  conversation 
took  place  while  two  thousand  of  our  cavalry  were 
passing  (all  live  Yankees).  My  Southern  friend  con 
cluded  he  had  been  sold.  This  is  a  specimen  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  Southern  people  were  deceived. 

We  brought  back  some  three  hundred  horses,  two 
boat  loads  «f  negroes,  and  seventeen  thousand  dollars 
worth  of  cotton,  and  about  seventy  prisoners,  returning 


64  BANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

to  Morehcad  after  an  absence  of  eight  days,  greatly 
exhausted.  I  could  not  really  enjoy  a  hearty  meal  for 
nearly  a  week  afterwards. 

We  found  our  ladies  anxious  to  see  the  regiment 
return,  and  to  know  of  our  safety.  We  had  traveled 
some  eight  hundred  miles.  The  country  was  too 
impoverished  to  afford  us  much  of  anything  to  eat,  and 
when  we  arrived  at  camp  we  were  nearly  starved. 

The  sultry  sun  of  August  makes  the  atmosphere 
as  "  hot  as  cotton."  To-day  the  news  reaches  us  of  the 
surrender  of  Fort  Wagner,  and  tliejlestruction  of  Fort 
Sumter,  but  with  it  comes  sad  news — the  death  of  our 
gallant  Colonel  Shaw,  who  mounted  the  parapet  and 
beckoned  his  colored  troops  to  follow,  which  they  did 
nobly.  He,  with  many  of  his  officers  and  soldiers, 
filled  a  common  grave.  That  night  they  were  biyied 
beneath  the  sands  of  Fort  Wagner: 

11  And  they  who  for  their  country  die, 

Shall  fill  an  honored  grave ; 
For  glory  lights  the  soldier's  tomb, 

And  beauty  weeps  the  brave  ; 
There  is  a  tear  for  all  who  die, 

A  mourner  over  the  humblest  grave  ; 
But  nation  swells  the  funeral  cry, 

And  triumph  weeps  above  the  brave." 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  65 

The  news  of  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter  will  make 
every  free  man  rejoice.  When  the  first  rebel  ball 
smote  her  rocky  sides,  the  rebound  thrilled  from  shore 
to  shore,  and  awakened  slumbering  liberty  in  every 
patriot  soul.  Selfishness  and  deception  disappeared, 
and  patriotism  rose  from  the  swelling  waves  stately  as 
a  Goddess. 

When  shall  greatness  of  soul  stand  forth,  if  not 
in  evil  times?  When  the  skies  are  fair  and  the  sea 
smooth,  all  ships  sail  festively,  but  when  the  clouds 
lower,  the  winds  shriek,  the  waves  boil,  and  soon  each 
craft  shows  its  quality ;  but  here  and  there  a  ship  rides 
the  storm.  Thank  God,  this  great  conflict,  which  for 
ages  has  agitated  the  world,  is  being  fought  in  our 
time,  that  long  strife  between  right  and  wrong,  between 
freedom  and  despotism.  We  are  placed  in  the  van 
guard.  To-day  we  stand  in  the  thick  of  the  fray  and 
on  the  enemy's  soil. 

Shall  we  let  this  glorious  cause  fail?  All  life  has 
of  noble  heroic  beckons  us  forward.  Death  itself  bears 
a  golden  crown  for  all  who  die  in  freedom's  cause,  and 
prizes  before  which  Olympian  laurels  fade  are  theirs. 
This  is  the  year  of  jubilee,  when  freemen  and  slaves 
march  lovingly  to  meet  their  fate,  and  die  to  save 

a  nation's  life. 

*6 


66  KANDOM  SK ETCHES  AND 

To-day  a  year's  experience  closes,  and  how  checkered 
it  has  been.  What  the  next  year  will  bring  is  hidden 
in  the  womb  of  time ;  and  who  would  dare  draw  the 
vail?  A  kind  Providence  has  guided  my  footsteps 
thus  far  through  the  danger,  giving  me  faith  and  hope 
of  the  final  triumph  of  our  arms,  which  cheers  me  in 
my  darkest  and  loneliest  hours. 

Morehead  is  one  of  the  most  healthy  locations  in 
the  South,  situated  on  a  peninsula  between  Bogue 
Sound  and  Calico  creek.  All  through  the  summer  we 
have  a  fine  breeze  from  the  ocean  each  day,  which 
renders  the  air  cool  and  healthful.  The  cool  evenings 
of  September  are  with  us,  bringing  her  purple  sunsets 
and  restless  winds,  making  the  tall  pines  which  stand 
like  solemn  sentinels,  sing  to  us  such  mournful  melo 
dies.  For  the  last  two  days  we  have  had  heavy  winds 
and  rain,  capsizing  many  of  our  tents,  leaving  the 
inmates  to  the  mercy  of  the  storm.  Last  night  we 
had  a  tremendous  gale,  so  terrific  that  it  awoke  me 
from  my  slumbers,  and  compelled  me  to  get  up  and 
save  my  cotton  house  from  capsizing.  The  storm  of 
last  night  I  shall  ever  remember,  it  being  the  most 
severe  one  I  have  witnessed  in  camp,  during  my 
experience  in  the  army. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  67 

Our  long  expected  mail  has  arrived.  We  have  not 
received  any  letters  for  a  month.  It  brought  joy  to 
the  camp.  In  it  I  found  one  for  myself,  which  I  was 
glad  to  receive.  It  was  from  my  wife,  and  told  me 
of  the  news  at  home  and  her  safe  arrival  there,  and 
how  she  found  the  little  ones,  and  how  they  clung  to 
her  all  the  day  long,  for  fear  she  might  leave  them 
again  to  visit  Dixie  land.  Such  were  the  feelings  her 
long  absence  produced. 

Much  of  a  soldier's  comfort  in  camp  results  from 
letter  communication.  Paper  and  ink  are  always  on 
hand,  or  a  pencil,  which  answers  the  same  purpose  in 
the  field ;  this,  with  a  cracker  box  to  write  upon,  makes 
a  very  good  secretary.  Letters  are  the  links  that  hold 
the  affections  to  the  home  circle,  and  make  absence 
and  trials  more  easily  endured  amid  the  weary  marches 
and  rough  accommodations  of  the  field.  What  would 
we  soldiers  do  without  letters  ?  They  are  the  only  true 
heart  talkers.  The  soul  measures  itself  by  itself,  and 
tells  of  truth  and  love.  I  re-read  my  letters  carefully 
when  a  day  is  dark  and  gloomy,  and  my  heart  is  sick, 
thinking  of  all  that  is  unreal  and  selfish  in  the  world. 
There,  in  my  camp  chest,  are  many  of  them  bound 
together;  and  what  a  heterogeneous  mass  of  ideas  they 
contain.  Some  of  love,  some  of  hate,  some  on  politics, 


68  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

and  some  on  religion,  all  so  carefully  put  away  that  I 
can  find  them  readily,  even  in  the  dark. 

To-day  a  regiment  of  colored  troops  arrived  at 
Morehead,  from  Newbern,  called  the  Second  North 
Carolina  Volunteers,  all  armed  and  equipped.  Their 
destination  was  Charleston,  South  Carolina.  I  went 
to  the  depot  where  they  lay  waiting  transports,  which 
were  soon  to  convey  them  to  a  more  active  field  of 
operation.  The  officers  were  all  white,  above  the  rank 

of  sergeant.     I  conversed  with  the  Chaplain,  who  was 

. 
a  colored  man,  and  I  found  him  well  posted  as  to  the 

cause  of  the  war  and  its  probable  results.  He  under 
stood  the  policy  of  the  Government,  which  many  of  the 
Copperheads  at  the  North  have  not  yet  learned,  and 
I  fear,  never  will,  for  "there  are  none  so  blind  as  those 
who  will  not  see."  He  thought  the  Yankees  were 
doing  things  up  right,  and  that  it  would  be  a 
thorough  work,  as  far  as  Slavery  was  concerned,  saying 
that  if  the  institution  was  saved  it  would  not  be  worth 
preserving.  I  was  much  pleased  with  his  remarks, 
believing  that  he,  with  many  of  his  race,  will  live  to 
see  his  sayings  verified.  He  sagely  observed :  "  AVhat 
a  Yankee  leaves  undone  is  not  worth  finishing." 

To-day  I  visited  Beaufort  North  Carolina,  which 
lay  just  in  sight  of  our  camp,  across  a  beautiful  bay, 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  69 

whose  waters  glisten  like  sheets  of  silver  on  a  moon 
light  night.  I  took  my  sail  boat,  with  my  darkey 
pilot,  and  followed  the  windings  of  the  channels,  which 
are  numerous  and  difficult  to  trace,  and  at  low  tide 
very  shallow,  being  almost  impossible  for  the  lightest 
draft  boats  to  pass  over  the  bars. 

On  my  way  thither,  I  saw  large  white  heron  on  the 
sand  bars,  devouring  the  crabs  and  small  fish  which 
the  tide  had  left  behind.  There  were  also  wild  ducks 
and  mud  hens  playing  around  in  the  water  and  basking 
in  the  sunshine.  The  bay  is  filled  with  shoals,  at  high 
tide  mostly  covered  with  water,  on  which  immense 
quantities  of  rushes  grow,  which  make  secure  hiding 
places  for  those  birds  to  build  their  nests  and  hatch 
their  young.  During  the  spring  season  hunters  and 
fishermen  find  immense  quantities  of  eggs,  which  are 
used  for  family  purposes.  The  fish  caught  in  these 
waters  are  of  the  finest  quality.  The  mullet  is  equal 
to  our  mackerel  at  the  North.  Clams  and  oysters  are 
also  found  in  great  abundance. 

We  finally  reached  Beaufort,  after  an  hour's  sail 
to  gain  an  air  line  distance  of  three  miles.  Such  is  the 
channel  from  Morehead  to  Beaufort. 

The  streets  of  Beaufort  are  narrow  and  sandy,  with 
but  few  shade  trees  along  its  walks.  Its  buildings  are 


70  BANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

mostly  old  and  dilapidated.  It  has  four  churches, 
which  present  no  architectural  beauty.  It  formerly 
had  a  large  hotel,  which  extended  out  into  the  bay, 
built  on  piers;  but  since  our  troops  landed  here  the 
building  has  been  used  for  a  hospital,  and  contains 
eight  hundred  patients.  The  only  thing  here  that 
attracted  my  attention  wras  the  snuff  dippers.  Snuff 
dipping  is  practiced  by  most  of  the  women  of  the 
South,  also  smoking,  and  they  are  two  of  the  most 
filthy  habits  that  can  be  indulged  in  by  females.  The 
process  of  dipping  is  performed  by  taking  a  small  twig 
from  the  black  gum  tree,  battering  the  end  flat,  so  as 
to  make  the  fibers  into  a  brush.  The  snuff  is  kept  in  a 
small  tin  box,  in  which  the  stick  is  rolled  and  gathered 
full  of  snuff.  Then  it  is  swabbed  through  the  mouth. 
Old  snuff  dippers  may  be  seen  sitting  all  the  day 
long,  with  cup  in  one  hand  and  swab  in  the  other, 
going  through  the  process,  and  spitting  like  a  tobacco 
chewer. 

The  women  look  pale  and  haggard,  possessing  little 
vitality,  hardly  enough  to  keep  themselves  looking 
decent.  They  are  narrow  chested  and  seldom  have 
rosy  cheeks,  like  many  of  our  Northern  "  lasses."  The 
common  classes  are  very  ignorant,  and  seldom  one  is 
found  who  can  read  or  write. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  71 

I  returned  to  my  boat  and  set  sail  for  Fort  Macon, 
which  lay  just  opposite,  on  the  extreme  end  of  an  island 
call  Bogue  Banks.  On  my  way  thither,  I  passed  a 
small  windmill,  built  on  one  of  the  shoals.  This 
antiquated  grinding  apparatus  furnishes  the  country 
around  with  corn  meal,  from  which  they  make  "hoe- 
cake"  and  "corn  dodgers,"  which  are  used  instead  of 
bread. 

Fort  Macon  is  beautifully  located  on  a  rise  of 
ground,  mostly  artificial  in  its  construction.  The 
access  to  the  fort  is  by  a  winding  railway  and  footpath. 
The  fort  is  built  of  brick  and  stone,  having  an  inner 
and  outer  terra  plain;  between  them  is  a  moat,  which 
can  be  filled  with  water  from  the  sea.  The  interior 
has  a  fine  parade,  from  which  you  can  ascend  to  the 
parapet  by  three  stone  stairways ;  both  terra  plains  are 
mounted  with  heavy  guns;  underneath  are  casemates, 
all  neatly  finished  off  for  officers7  and  soldiers'  quarters. 
Originally,  the  fort  had  no  terra  plain ;  the  guns  were 
mounted  in  the  casemates,  the  embrasures  of  which 
are  now  used  for  windows.  Here  I  found  all  the  con- 
veniencies  to  make  the  troops  comfortable. 

From  the  ramparts  you  can  take  a  beautiful  view 
of  the  ocean,  and  always  be  fanned  by  a  delightful  sea 
breeze.  Here  can  be  seen  the  gunboats  on  the  Jblock- 


72  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

ading  squadron  plying  up  and  down  the  coast,  from 
this  port  to  Charleston.  Away  off  to  the  left  are  seen 
Shackleford  Banks  and  Cape  Lookout,  with  its  light 
house,  which  stands  like  'a  lonely  sentinel,  with  its 
head  of  fire,  warning  the  mariner  at  night  from  the 
rocks  and  shoals  he  might  encounter  along  this  coast. 
Away  off  to  the  west  are  seen  Burnside's  works, 
from  which  he  shelled  this  fort  in  the  spring  of  sixty- 
two,  while  our  navy  made  a  feigned  attack  by  sea. 
The  marks  of  the  shells  are  plainly  visible,  and  will 
remain  as  a  record  of  the  rebellion.  I  took  a  stroll 
up  the  beach,  and  passed  the  breakwater  and  picket 
station.  About  a  mile  beyond,  was  Burnside's  fortifi 
cations,  which  were  loose  sand,  thrown  up  at  night, 
behind  which  his  mortars  were  placed,  from  which  he 
sent  shells  so  accurately  as  to  drop  them  into  the  fort. 
One  of  them  struck  the  magazine,  which  suggested  to 
the  inmates  the  idea  of  a  surrender,  before  they  were 
all  blown  up.  After  a  bombardment  of  eight  hours 
the  fort  was  surrendered  to  our  forces,  our  troops  enter 
ing  it  triumphantly,  raising  the  stars  and  stripes  once 
more  on  the  spot  where  they  had  been  taken  down 
and  trampled  in  the  dust.  The  fort  is  now  garrisoned 
by  three  companies  of  the  Eightj'-First  New  York 
Volunteers. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  73 

This  fort  is  of  much  importance,  as  it  commands  the 
entrance  to  the  harbor  of  Beaufort,  and  is  also  a  place 
of  confinement  for  soldiers  who  have  committed  mili 
tary  offences.  I  visited  the  dungeon  where  some  were 
confined,  where  the  rays  of  the  sun  never  enter.  It 
was  damp  and  dismal,  and  a  strange  feeling  of  sadness 
came  over  me,  as  I  stood  within  this  dreary  cell  and 
heard  the  murmuring  of  its  inmates.  And  when  its 
huge  doors  were  swung  shut,  and  the  bars  grated  on 
my  ears,  liberty  for  a  moment  seemed  a  mockery. 

I  left  the  fort  and  set  sail  for  camp,  being  carried 
along  by  the  tide,  which  was  then  setting  in,  arriving 
at  Morehead  just  as  the  last  echo  of  the  evening  gun 
died  on  the  distant  waters. 

This  is  a  beautiful  afternoon.  The  sun  is  still  high 
in  the  heavens,  with  scarcely  a  cloud  to  obscure  his 
rays.  A  gentle  sea  breeze  is  blowing  from  the  South, 
whose  cool  air  is  so  refreshing.  Our  camp  is  as  quiet 
as  a  New  England  village  on  a  Sabbath  day.  After 
dress  parade,  the  regiment  formed  a  hollow  square, 
and  from  the  center  our  Chaplain  spoke,  and  the  Glee 
Club  sung  one  of  their  choice  selections,  called  the 
"Shining  Shore."  The  music  was  really  charming. 

When  I  returned  to  my  quarters,  I  found  a  letter 
from  home,  from  which  I  learned  my  brother  had  been 


71  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

shot  at  Ashby  Gap,  Va.,  while  making  a  charge.  He 
foil  from  his  horse,  most  of  the  squadron  passing  over 
him.  His  comrades,  after  driving  the  enemy,  returned 
to  bury  their  dead.  They  found  life  in  him,  and  con 
veyed  him  back  to  camp,  a  distance  of  fifty  miles, 
where  he  laid  for  nearly  a  week.  The  surgeon  found 
the  ball  had  entered  his  skull,  near  the  temple.  "When 
able  to  travel,  he  was  sent  home,  where  the '  ball  was 
extracted  by  Dr.  Swinburne,  some  two  months  after 
ward,  weighing  an  ounce.  He  belonged  to  the  Cali 
fornia  Battalion,  attached  to  the  Second  Massachusetts 
Cavalry. 

This  afternoon  I  took  a  ride  to  Crab  Point,  on  the 
Newport  river.  In  passing  through  a  pine  forest,  on 
my  way  thither,  I  saw  the  negroes  gathering  ].'. 
from  pine  trees,  for  making  turpentine.  The  process  is 
simple.  The  trees  are  cut  into,  about  six  inches  and 
twelve  inches  above  the  base,  in  a  manner  which  forms 
a  box;  then  the  bark  is  taken  off  above,  about  t! 
feet,  in  a  semi-circular  form;  from  here  the  pit'-h 
exudes  and  runs  into  the  box  below,  from  which  it  is 
taken  out,  with  small  wooden  clippers,  and  put  into 
buckets,  and  then  into  barrels,  which  arc  interspersed 
through  the  forest,  at  the  most  convenient  points  for 
transportation  to  the  factory.  Here  it  is  put  through 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  75 

a  clarifying  process,  passing  through  a  worm  into  a 
large  reservoir,  in  which  it  is  condensed  and  becomes 
turpentine.  The  tar  is  made  from  a  fat  wood,  which 
is  put  up  in  kilns,  in  the  form  of  a  cone,  and  burned, 
the  pitch  leaving  the  wood  and  running  into  a  gutter 
formed  around  the  base  of  the  cone  or  pit;  from  thence 
it  is  dipped  up  and  put  in  barrels.  At  present  this  is 
a  very  valuable  export  for  the  Northern  market, 
and  is  a  very  profitable  business  for  the  negro,  who  has 
left  his  master  and  is  working  these  trees  for  his  own 
benefit. 

As  I  emerged  from  the  woods,  I  came  on  a  planta 
tion  where  I  saw  some  fine  fig  trees  loaded  with  fruit. 
I  helped  myself  to  them,  and  found  they  were  the  most 
delicious  figs  I  ever  eat.  The  trees  grew  from  ten  to 
twenty  feet  high,  with  very  heavy  foliage  of  dark  green 
color,  with 'straggling  branches.  These  trees  are  great 
bearers,  some  yielding  as  many  as  ten  bushels  of  this 
luscious  fruit.  There  are  three  kinds,  red,  white  and 
blue.  The  red  is  the  most  delicious,  the  white  is  the 
most  hardy,  and  the  blue  is  the  most  beautiful.  The 
fig  tree  bears  two  crops  a  year.  The  first  ripeitfkabout 
the  first  of  July.  The  second  one  about  the  first  of 
September,  and  continues  until  frost,  which  comes  about 
the  first  of  November. 


76  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

Apples,  pears,  peaches  and  grapes  thrive  here,  but 
they  are  not  of  such  fine  quality  as  we  cultivate  at  the 
North.  The  finest  varieties  could  be  produced  here 
with  little  care,  but  this,  like  all  other  Southern  States, 
has  the  curse  of  Slavery  written  on  it,  and  until  that 
is  blotted  out  poverty  anfl  destruction  must  follow.  I 
think  many  of  them  begin  to  realize  it  already,  and 
the  sooner  they  learn  to  work  and  wait  on  themselves 
the  better  it  will  be  for  them  and  their  children. 

Yankee  ingenuity  and  enterprise  is  all.  that  is  needed 
to  make  this  "a  land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey," 
where  every  one  can  live  under  his  own  vine  and  fig 
tree.  And  if  they  will  become  loyal  citizens  none  will 
molest  or  make  them  afraid. 

The  poor  whites  and  negroes  are  loyal  beyond  a 
doubt,  but  the  slaveholder  is  not.  I  have  no  confi 
dence  in  their  sympathy  for  Republican  institutions. 
How  glad  I  am  to  see  the  noble  stand  our  President  has 
taken  against  Slavery,  with  all  its  horrors,  barbarities, 
and  shocking  immoralities.  Slavery,  thank  God!  is 
dead  in  this  country,  and  nothing  can  resusitate  it,  and 
those  ^10  now  uphold  it  will  perish  with  it.  No  friend 
of  human  progress  will  pray  for  its  resurrection.  Its 
destruction  was  ordained  when  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
fell  from  Fort  Sumtcr.  That  act  was  its  death  knell. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  77 

It  virtually  proclaimed  freedom  to  four  millions  of 
human  beings,  a  race  who  had  been  held  in  bondage 
for  more  than  two  centuries. 

This  morning  our  surgeon  and  myself  went  on  a 
foraging  expedition.  We  took  our  sail  boat  and  pilot 
and  sailed  down  Bogue  Sound.  On  our  way  we  met 
the  steamer  Guide,  having  on  board  conscripts  for  our 
army.  They  were  landed  at  Morehead,  and  from 
there  took  the  cars  for  Newbern.  We  crossed  the 
Sound  for  Newport  river.  On  the  way  up  the  river 
we  saw  large  flocks  of  white  and  blue  hcronj  which 
infest  these  waters;  also  curlews  feeding  on  the  shore. 
I  amused  myself  by  firing  at  them,  and  soon  found 
they  had  no  relish  for  gunpowder.  Our  route  was  a 
very  circuitous  one,  owin^  to  the  low  tide,  which  com 
pelled  us  to  go  some  ten  miles  to  gain  an  air  line 
distance  of  three. 

We  landed  at  the  county  almshouse,  which  is  an 
old  dilapidated  building,  hardly  affording  shelter  fit 
for  beasts  It  had  two  inmates,  and  both  of  them 
were  insane.  I  did  not  learn  whether  they  were 
insane  when  they  were  brought  to  this  miserable  hovel, 
but  I  am  quite  certain  that  their  wants  and  treatment 
would  have  a  tendency  to  make  them  so.  Our  surgeon 
observed  that  he  thought  the  superintendent  "non 


• 


78  KANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

compus  mentis."  Everything  around  spoke  plainly  of 
poverty;  even  the  corn  fields,  near  by,  were  incontro 
vertible  witnesses.  We  left  the  almshouse  with  sad 
impressions. 

We  strolled  off  into  the  country,  hoping  to  find  a 
farmhouse,  where  we  could  obtain  some  refreshment, 
but  all  in  vain.  I  purchased  some  eggs  and  sweet 
potatoes  at  one  house ;  this  was  all  we  could  procure, 
after  having  traveled  some  four  miles. 

I  made  my  dinner  on  raw  potatoes,  which  stayed 
my  hunger  for  the  time.  The  potatoes  were  dug  by 
two  negro  women,  whom  I  found  splitting  rails  for  a 
fence  near  by.  These  two  slaves  were  all  the  help  the 
owner  of  the  plantation  had  to  do  his  labor.  They 
dug  the  potatoes  with  a  larga  plantation  hoe,  weighing 
some  ten  pounds.  They  had  never  heard  of  a  potato 
hook  until  I  described  it  to  them.  They  "  reckoned  it 
must  be  a  right  smart  thing  to  dig  tatcrs  with." 

I  talked  with  them  in  regard  to  their  condition,  but 
they  seemed  fully  satisfied  with  their  prospects,  appa 
rently  having  no  desire  above  their  animal  wants.  I 
asked  the  youngest  of  the  two  how  old  she  was.  She 
"reckoned  about  fifteen  years."  I  asked  her  how 
much  older  her  mother  was  than  herself.  She 
"reckoned  about  five  years."  This  is  a  fair  specimen 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  79 

of  negro  intelligence  in  many  parts  of  the  South.  Many 
mothers  do  not  know  the  ages  of  their  own  children. 

We  returned  to  our  boats  and  set  sail  for  the  oppo 
site  shore.  On  our  way  we  passed  a  windmill,  grind 
ing  corn  for  hominy  and  hoecake.  One  peck  of  this 
meal,  five  pounds  of  bacon,  and  one  quart  of  molases, 
is  a  week's  rations  for  a  man.  We  passed  through,  to 
a  wood  near  by,  and  took  a  woodpath  which  led  us 
to  a  plantation.  After  traveling  some  two  miles, 
through  the  chapperel  and  mud,  we  passed  through 
a  field  where  some  negroes  were  engaged  in  "saving 
fodder,"  as  they  termed  it,  which  we  at  the  North  call 
topping  corn. 

I  inquired  of  the  darkies  the  distance  to  Crab  Point, 
which  they  told  me  was  "  a  right  smart  distance,  they 
reckoned."  Near  the  plantation  house  was  a  beautiful 
grove  of  fig  trees,  and  a  few  pomegranate  trees,  loaded 
with  fruit.  I  learned  from  the  occupant  that  he  was 
a  deserter  from  the  rebel  army.  Here  he  married  the 
woman  of  his  choice,  and  settled  on  this  plantation, 
of  which  she  was  the  •tvner. 

The  sun  was  fast  declining  in  the  west,  and  we  put 
back  to  our  boat,  doubling  Crab  Point  just  as  the 
flashes  of  the  evening  gun  were  seen  from  Fort  Macon, 
its  echoes  rolling  along  the  waters,  dying  amid  the 


80  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

mellow  rays  of  a  Southern  sunset,  which  are  beautiful 
beyond  description. 

This  afternoon  I  took  a  ride  back  in  the  country. 
As  I  neared  an  old  farm  house,  I  heard  a  buzzing 
noise,  which  reminded  me  of  home  in  my  boyhood 
days,  when  I  used  to  teaze  my  mother  to  turn  the 
spinning  wheel,  and  oftentimes  destroyed  her  spindle 
of  yarn,  much  to  her  discomfiture.  I  unceremoniously 
entered  the  house,  and  found  a  girl  spinning  cotton; 
I  excused  my  abruptness,  as  soldiers  generally  do,  and 
took  a  chair  without  invitation.  She  informed  me  that 
she  was  spinning  cotton  for  a  dress,  which  struck  me 
as  being  a  very  slow  process  to  get  one.  She  told 
me  she  had  spun  the  yarn  and  wove  the  cloth  of  the 
dress  she  then  wore,  and  allowed  me  the  privilege  of 
examining  it.  I  found  it  finely  spun  and  finely  wove, 
and  if  it  had  been  fitted  to  her  person  properly,  it 
would  have  looked  neat  and  tidy. 

Near  by  was  a  cotton  field,  a  most  beautiful  sight. 
The  plants  grow  about  four  feet  high,  with  numerous 
branches.  On  them  were  blooms,  green  balls  and 
ripe  ones.  At  this  stage  the  shells  burst  open,  and  it 
is  ready  for  picking,  which  commences  about  the  first 
of  September  and  continues  until  the  frost  kills  the 
plant.  Cotton,  after  it  is  picked,  is  ginned  and  dried 


WANDEKING  THOUGHTS.  81 

in  the  sun,  and  then  pressed  into  bales.     This  valuable 

product  can  be  raised  for  eight  cents  per  pound. 

» 

On  my  return  to  camp  I  was  much  amused  in 
listening  to  an  account  of  a  panther  hunt  in  the  wilds 
of  Northern  New  York.  The  hero  of  this  story  is  a 
soldier  in  our  regiment.  He  said : 

"  Some  years  ago,  in  the  month  of  January,  early 
in  the  morning,  I  went  out  to  find  my  sheep.  On 
finding  my  flock  I  missed  some  of  them,  and  on  looking 
around  discovered  traces  which  convinced  me  some 
animal  had  visited  my  flock  at  night  and  carried  off 
some  of  them  for  their  prey.  I  returned  home  for  my 
gun,  and  told  my  wife  where  I  was  going;  I  also  told 
her  to  request  two  of  my  neighbors  to  follow  up  my 
trail.  I  traveled  all  day,  and  when  night  came, 
bivouaced,  building  a  fire  to  guard  me  from  any 
attack  from  the  foe  I  was  in  search  of.  The  long  and 
weary  night  passed  in  earnest  thoughts  and  longing 
desires  for  the  first  glimpses  of  daylight.  Morning 
dawned  at  last,  and  after  a  lunch  from  my  hunting 
bag,  I  resumed  my  journey  and  traveled  until  late  in 
the  afternoon,  when  I  heard  a  shrill  echo  resounding 
through  the  forest,  telling  me  my  dogs  had  found  their 
prey.  With  cautious  steps  and  trembling  limbs  I 


82  KAXDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

advanced  in  the  direction  of  the  sound,  and  soon  came 
in  sight  of  the  dogs,  who  were  at  the  base  of  a  large 
tree,  anxiously  waiting  for  their  master.  As  I  neared 
the  tree  I  gazed  up  and  saw  on  one  of  the  limbs  a 
monstrous  panther,  lying  in  an  attitude  of  readiness 
to  spring  at  any  moment.  Now  came  the  trying  time 
for  me  to  quiet  my  nerves,  as  every  muscle  seemed 
unstrung.  The  others  had  arrived  in  sight  which 
gave  me  more  confidence  and  coolness,  qualities  so 
essential  at  such  a  moment.  I  beckoned  to  them  to 
come  up,  and  be  ready  to  fire.  At  that  moment  I 
sent  a  ball  whizzing  through  the  head  of  the  animal, 
striking  him  in  the  mouth,  which  left  him  minus  one 
tooth,  and  bleeding  freely. 

"The  animal  lay  looking  at  me  with  eyes  of  fire, 
showing  clearly  that  his  nature  had  been  wrought  up 
to  a  fierce  anger.  The  two  others  fired  while  I  loaded 
my  gun,  the  balls  striking  him  near  the  heart,  at  whirh 
they  aimed,  seemingly  without  effect.  The  ninth  shot 
brought  him  reeling  to  the  ground,  writhing  in  agony. 
One  of  the  dogs  attacked  him,  and  with  one  stroke  of 
his  claw  the  panther  tore  the  dog  to  pieces,  killing  him 
instantly,  and  at  the  same  moment  the  panther  expired. 

"  "We  cut  a  rail  and  tie  dour  prize  to  it,  carrying  him 
on  our  shoulders  over  a  mile,  to  a  farm  house  where 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  83 

we  weighed  him  and  found  we  had  one  hundred  and 
eighty-seven  pounds  of  panther  flesh,  including  skin  and 
bone.  From  here  we  conveyed  him  to  Utica  in  a 
wagon,  and  from  thence  to  Albany,  by  railroad,  where 
he  was  purchased  by  a  taxidermist,  who  skinned  and 
stuffed  him  in  the  best  manner,  so  true  to  nature  that 
to-day  he  appears  to  be  alive,  standing  on  all  fours,  as 
he  once  did  when  he  roamed  over  his  native  forest." 

I  have  reason  to  believe  that  there  is  truth  in  this 
story,  as  a  friend  of  mine  was  presented  with  some  of 
the  panther  steak,  and  shared  it  with  me  at  the  time. 
The  recollection  of  the  deliciousness  of  the  meat  gave 
additional  zest  to  the  tale. 

Another  story  was  related  by  a  member  of  another 
regiment.  He  said : 

"  About  fifty  of  us  had  been  engaged  for  several 
days  in  performing  secret  service,  and  were  on  our 
return.  We  hacf  to  pass  very  near  the  rebel  lines,  and 
to  avoid  being  taken,  and  also  to  save  a  circuit  of  miles, 
we  resolved  to  encamp  in  a  secluded  place  we  knew 
of,  through  the  day,  and  under  the  shadow  of  night 
pass  unseen  on  the  direct  course  to  our  camp, 

The  day  was  beautiful,  and  the  spot  we  had  chosen 
for  our  resting  place  was  one  of  those  grassy  nooks, 
shut  out  apparently  from  the  rest  of  the  world  by  lines 


84  KAXDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

of  hills,  impenetrable  underbrush,  and  a  gigantic  forest; 
a  small  but  clear  and  deep  stream  ran  by  it.  We  lay 
down  our  arms,  relieved  ourselves  of  our  knapsacks, 
and  spreading  our  provender  upon  the  grass,  dined 
with  a  hearty  appetite,  refreshing  ourselves  from  the 
limpid  waters  of  the  stream,  and  then  each  one  amused 
himself  as  best  he  could. 

"After  resting  awhile,  some  one  of  the  party  went 
in  to  bathe,  and  one  by  one,  as  the  pleasure  seemed  to 
increase,  followed,  until  the  whole  party  were  in  the 
stream.  This  lasted  for  about  half  an  hoar,  and  most 
of  us  had  returned  to  the  shore,  and  were  dressing,  when 
a  new  feature  was  given  to  the  scene  by  one  of  the 
party  saying  he  was  going  to  wash  his  shirt.  Now 
most  of  us  had  worn  these  garments  for  some  time 
without  washing,  and  there  could  be  no  doubt  of  their 

needing  it  very  much.     We  ^11  thought  the"  idea  a  good 

# 
one,  and  all  hands  immediately  began  to  disrobe,  and 

soon  we  were  as  busy  as  washerwomen,  rubbing  away 
like  fulling  mills.  As  the  pieces  jvere  finished  they 
were  hung  on  the  limbs  of  trees,  in  the  sun,  or  spread 
out  on  the  grass. 

"  Many  were  still  engaged  at  their  washing ;  some 
were  stretched  on  the  ground  in  deep  sleep,  some  were 
wrestling,  others  jumping,  and  some  collected  in  groups, 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  85 

telling  stories,  nearly  all  of  us  innocent  of  wearing 
apparel  as  Adam  was  previous  to  forming  acquaintance 
with  Eve,  and  about  as  happy  as  fellows  could  be,  with 
but  one  shirt,  and  that  drying  in  the  sun,  when  we 
were  startled  by  a  volley  of  musketry,  the  balls  of 
which,  very  fortunately,  only  made  a  few  slight  flesh 
wounds. 

"The  sound  of  musketry,  although  it  surprised  us 
at  first,  we  were  too  much  accustomed  to  hearing,  to 
remain  long  under  a  panic;  so  the  next  moment  found 
each  man  of  us  in  possession  of  his  musket,  and  him 
self  covered  by  a  tree.  We  had  not  long  to  wait,  before 
a  large  body  of  rebels  broke  through  the  underbrush, 
which  had  concealed  them,  and  charged  with  fixed 
bayonets  upon  us.  But  their  progress  was  suddenly 
checked  by  our  fire,  which  laid  a  number  of  them  dead. 
We  had  not  time  to  reload,  when  the  enemy  charged 
down  upon  us,  and  we  were  compelled  reluctantly  to 
give  way.  We  ran  some  distance,  reloading,  and  stood 
our  ground. 

"  Up  to  this  time  we  had  not  thought  of  our  nude 
condition,  until  one  of  our  officers  cried:  'Boys,  will 
you  lose  your  shirts?'  Then,  casting  our  eyes  around, 
we  gave  a  shout:  'Now  for  our  shirts!'  and  rushed 
forward  like  so  many  naked  devils. 


b6  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

"As  soon  as  the  enemy  came  to  our  view,  we 
poured  in  a  well  directed  fire,  and  immediately  charged 
with  the  bayonet.  So  suddenly  had  this  movement 
been  made,  that,  having  supposed  we  were  still  running 
away,  they  in  turn  were  completely  surprised,  and 
then  came  their  turn  to  run.  After  them  we  shouted 
still,  with  our  new  watchword,  "  Shirts ! "  The  officers 
of  the  enemy,  having  at  length  succeeded  in  securing 
the  attention  of  their  men,  wheeled  them,  and  gave  us 
a  return  Jire,  when  we  again  took  to  our  heels,  and  the 
rebels,  taking  up  our  cry  of  "Shirts!"  came  pell-mell 
after  us.  Again  we  turned  and  charged  the  enemy 
running,  and  they  in  turn  charging  upon  us,  each 
party  shouting  '  Shirts ! ' 

At  length,  becoming  somewhat  exasperated  with 
the  game,  and  constantly  reminded  of  our  shirts,  by 
the  enemy  screaming  it  in  our  ears,  and  recollect 
ing,  too,  that  we  would  not  cut  a  very  pretty  figure 
returning  to  quarters  sans  culottes,  we  made  a  most 
desperate  charge,  and  finally  succeeded  in  gaining  the 
day,  driving  the  enemy  from  the  field.  Several  of  our 
party  were  wounded,  but  none  killed,  and  putting  on 
our  garments,  we  took  the  circuitous  route  which  we 
had  avoided  in  the  morning,  and  reached  camp  about 
midnight,  where  we  caused  no  little  merriment  when 


WANDEEING  THOUGHTS.  87 

we  related  our  adventure,  in  which  our  shirts  so  nar 
rowly  escaped  capture.77 

In  this  way  many  a  long  evening  is  passed  in  camp. 
Most  soldiers  have  some  tale  to  tell,  of  hunting,  fishing, 
or  encounters  they  have  met  with  on  picket,  or  the 
battle  field,  and  they  are  most  generally  the  hero  of 
their  own  story. 

Last  evening  the  wind  blew  a  perfect  gale ;  so  hard 
that  it  kept  me  awake  nearly  all  night.  The  mighty 
waves  were  rolling  in  the  distance,  against  the  break 
waters  on  the  shore  of  Bogue  Banks.  The  roar  told 
me  of  a  terrible  storm  at  sea.  During  the  night  a 
vessel  had  been  driven  ashore  on  Bogue  Banks,  and 
became  imbedded  in  the  sand.  The  waves  were  dash- 
iny  over  her,  making  her  a  total  wreck.  The  crew 
had  just  abandoned  her,  and  floated  to  shore  on  spars. 

Their  carg<%onsisted  principally  of  sugar  and  rum, 
which,  after  the  storm  had  abated,  was  taken  off,  by 
cutting  out  the  sides  of  the  vessel,  and  carried  away 
on  lighters.  I  visited  the  crew  on  the  beach;  they 
told  me  they  were  from  Cuba,  bound  for  New  York, 
and  had  lost  their  course  in  the  storm  during  the 
night.  They  were  a  miserable  set  of  men,  being  half 
Spaniard  and  half  negro,  looking  more  like  a  band  of 


SS  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

pirates  than  English  tars,  under  which  flag  they  sailed. 
A  few  days  afterward  a  Captain  of  one  of  our  gunboats 
told  me  he  had  chased  this  craft  for  two  days,  off  the 
coast  of  Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  and  that  when 
he  crowded  them  they  threw  cannon  overboard.  He 
was  satisfied  they  were  blockade  runners,  although 
their  papers  showed  to  the  contrary. 

Our  regimental  inspection  came  off  to-day.  The 
men  and  equipments  were  in  fine  order.  The  regiment 
passed  in  review,  and  were  highly  complimented  for 
their  military  appearance. 

After  inspection,  I  found  a  notice  at  my  quarters, 
which  required  me  to  attend  a  court  martial  at  New- 
bern,  where  I  was  required  to  appear  as  a  witness, 
the  following  day.  I  took  the  cars  in  the  evening  for 
that  place,  which  is  situated  thirty-five  miles  from  the 
coast.  I  spent  the  night  with  one  of fte  surgeons  of 
the  Ninety-Second  New  York  Volunteers,  who  was  an 
old  friend.  The  next  morning  I  visited  Fort  Stephen- 
son,  on  the  banks  of  the  Neuse  river.  It  has  three 
guns,  and  is  garrisoned  by  one  company  of  the  Third 
Massachusetts  Artillery. 

Just  across  the  Neuse  is  Fort  Anderson,  which  was 
attacked  by  the  rebels,  under  General  Pettigrew,  last 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  89 

spring.  It  was  then  garrisoned  by  the  Ninety-Second 
New  York  Volunteers,  who  nobly  defended  it,  without 
firing  a  shot;  their  guns  not  being  mounted,  they 
awaited  the  charge  of  the  enemy,  who  kept  up  a  con 
stant  fire  of  grape,  canister  and  shell,  for  some  time, 
destroying  the  quarters  within  the  fort.  In  the 
meantime  Colonel  Anderson,  who  commanded  the4  fort, 
signaled  to  Newbern  -for  assistance.  A  gunboat  soon 
came  to  his  relief,  which  drove  the  enemy  back,  and 
Fort  Anderson  was  saved. 

Ncwbern  is  situated  at  the  intersection  of  the  Neuse 
and  Trent  rivers,  and  compares  well  with  most  of  the 
Southern  cities  in  point  of  size.  It  has  a  number  of 
fine  residences  surrounded  with  beautiful  gardens,  in 
which  are  generally  found  grapes,  figs,  pears  and  pome 
granates;  also  abundance  of  flowering  shrubs,  such  as 
honeysuckle,  myrtle,  magnolia,  and  the  Rose  of  Sharon. 
There  are  no  curiosities  of  nature  or  art  here,  except  a 
kind  of  rock  taken  from  the  bed  of  the  Trent  river, 
whose  formation  is  composed  of  shells,  which  is  used 
for  fence  and  building  purposes,  and  resembles  vermu- 
lated  ashler. 

They  have  the  same  blue  sky  and  twinkling  stars 
above  them  that  we  have  at  the  North,  but  not  those 

noble  mountains,  with  their  deep  gorges  and  silvery 

*8 


90  EAXDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

cascades  we  have  on  the  Hudson,  and  through  some 
parts  of  New  England.  The  country,  as  far  as  the 

eye  can  reach,  is  one  vast  pine  forest.  This  is  the 
geographical  character  of  the  South,  along  the  sea 
board,  extending  some  fifty  miles  back. 

The  battle  field  of  Newbern  lays  about  four  miles 
east  of  the  city,  between  the  Goldsboro  Railroad  and 
the  Neuse  river.  General  Burnside  drove  the  rebels 
from  that  field  to  Newbern,  and  from  there  they 
retreated  to  Kinston,  setting  fire  to  the  bridge  which 
crossed  the  Trent  river,  after  they  had  passed  over 
it;  but  our  troops  soon  came  up  and  extinguished  the 
flames.  They  also  set  fire  to  the  city,  which  was 
extinguished  before  much  damage  was  done. 

Newbern  is  at  present  strongly  fortified,  having 
fortifications  running  from  the  Neuse  to  the  Trent 
river;  before  those  works  were  built,  it  required  about 
fifteen  thousand  troops  to  hold  this  place,  but  I  am 
of  opinion  that  the  Government  would  have  been 
better  off  to  have  burned  these  places,  when  taken,  tlian 
to  fortify  and  hold  them,  as  they  have  done,  even 
if  they  were  obliged  to  rebuild  them.  It  is  a  great 
expense  to  hold  an  inland  city,  and  has  a  tendency  to 
make  a  department  inactive,  on  account  of  accommo 
dations  it  affords  the  officers. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  91 

I  returned  to  Morehead,  in  company  with  the  Third 
Massachusetts  Artillery,  who  were  to  relieve  a  detach 
ment  of  the  Eighty-First  Regiment  New  York  Volun 
teers,  at  Fort  Macon. 

A  bright  and  beautiful  October  morning,  with  its 
hazy  sunshine  and  yellow  leaves,  tells  me  a  change  in 
the  year  is  already  at  hand.  The  heavy  dew  and  cool 
nights  admonish  us  that  the  greatcoat  and  rubber 
blanket  will  soon  be  needed,  to  prevent  the  chills  and 
fever,  which  is  so  common  at  this  time  of  year  in  the 
South. 

The  brig  Release  has  just  arrived  in  harbor,  in 
which  Dr.  Kane  was  brought  home  on  his  last  journey 
to  the  Arctic  regions.  She  is  now  a  gunboat,  and  is 
connected  with  the  blockading  squadron.  I  visited 
her,  and  wThile  on  board,  the  mate  told  me  she  had 
been  remodeled  since  her  cruise  to  the  North  Pole. 
I  felt  pleased  to  tread  her  deck,  because  she  had 
released  one  of  our  country's  adventurers  from  those 
frozen  regions  of  the  North,  where  he  had  been  bound 
up  in  the  ice,  with  his  vessel,  the  Advance,  for  many 
months,  only  to  meet  his  death  and  find  a  grave  in  a 
more  genial  clime,  beside  his  kindred.  He  died  in 
early  manhood;  but  his  memory  will  live  eternal  as 


92  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

those  hills  of  ice,  in  which  he  spent  so  many  cheerless 
months,  and  sunless  days,  with  the  natives  of  those 
regions  and  his  Arctic  voyagers. 

Our  Chaplain  and  myself  took  a  sail  to  Shackleford 
Banks,  and  visited  the  fishermen,  whom  we  found  hard 
at  work,  cleaning  fish  and  putting  them  in  barrels;  in 
one  haul  they  caught  one  hundred  and  thirty  barrels. 
High  noon  had  arrived,  and  we  began  to  feel  hungry, 
so  we  started  off  in  the  wood,  and  found  a  grove  of 
cedars,  underneath  which  we  spread  our  cloth  on  the 
sand,  and  partook  of  a  hearty  repast  from  our  haver 
sack.  After  satisfying  our  hunger,  we  went  in  search 
of  grapes  and  chinkpins,  a  kind  of  nut  which  grows 
here;  we  had  to  make  our  way  through  a  thick 
chaparral,  on  all  fours,  for  nearly  half  a  mile,  with 
the  pleasant  idea  of  coming  in  contact  with  snakes 
and  lizards,  without  speaking  of  the  mutilation  to  our 
clothing.  I  at  last  found  a  beautiful  vine;  it  clung 
to  a  large  oak,  and  in  the  top  hung  large  clusters  of 
fine  grapes,  ripening  in  the  sun. 

I  laid  off  my  haversack  and  canteen,  and  got  into 
the  tree  with  much  difficulty,  the  vines  being  woven 
together.  I  accomplished  my  object,  and  soon  satisfied 
my  appetite  with  grapes,  which  I  found  to  be  very 
delicious;  I  then  dropped  myself  down  again  with  less 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  93 

trouble  than  I  had  in  getting  up,  yet  not  without 
some  scars. 

Here,  in  these  woods,  grows  a  fine  quality  of  mus 
cadine  grapes,  equally  as  sweet  and  large  as  those  cul 
tivated  at  the  North,  but  not  in  such  large  clusters. 
We  whiled  away  an  hour  in  the  woods,  and  after  some 
trouble  got  out,  taking  the  sun  for  our  guide. 

The  fishermen  live  principally  in  huts,  in  which  I 
saw  poverty  and  ignorance,  such  as  I  could  not  believe 
existed,  if  I  had  not  witnessed  it ;  for  it  had  almost  run 
into  insanity.  They  were  really  heathens;  and  this  in 
"  Free  America,"  as  it  is  called.  I  told  our  Chaplain 
if  any  place  on  God's  footstool  needed  missionaries,  this 
was  the  spot.  I  asked  one  of  the  women  if  she  did 
not  get  lonesome,  living  on  this  island ;  she  "  reckoned 
right  smart."  The  whole  family  did  not  appear  to 
have  any  knowledge  above  their  animal  wants. 

We  took  our  boat  and  floated  back  with  the  tide  to 
camp,  just  as  the  sun  sank  beneath  the  distant  waters; 
when  we  received  orders  to  be  ready,  at  a  moment's 
notice,  to  proceed  to  Fortress  Monroe,  on  the  arrival 
of  transports  from  that  place. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Eighth  New  York 
Volunteers  have  just  arrived  from  Newbern,  to  relieve 
us;  they  are  a  rough  looking  regiment,  having  some 


94  RANDOM  SKETCHES 

three  hundred  sick,  and  the  remainder  hardly  fit  for 
duty.  Our  camp  is  all  excitement  now — especially 
among  the  officers'  wives.  Packing  up  is  the  order 
of  the  day.  Since  we  have  received  orders  to  be  ready, 
it  has  rained,  accompanied  with  much  thunder  and 
lightning. 

The  waves  of  the  ocean  are  keeping  up  a  continual 
murmur,  which  makes  melancholy  music,  and  the  pat 
tering  rain  falling  on  my  tent,  makes  one  feel  gloomy 
and  lonesome.  How  true  it  is  that  the  weather  and 
seasons  affect  our  minds;  our  natures  are  so  much  in 
sympathy  with  them. 

Our  last  act  at  Morehead  was  to  release  from 
bondage  a  negro  family.  About  a  mile  from  our 
camp  were  held  a  colored  man's  wife  and  four  children, 
as  slaves — the  master  forbidding  the  husband  visiting 
them.  The  husband  complained  to  our  Colonel  of 
their  treatment,  and  assured  him  they  were  held 
against  their  wishes. 

The  master  was  summoned  to  appear  the  next  day 
at  our  headquarters,  at  a  certain  hour,  which  he  failed 
to  do,  but  the  negro  was  on  hand,  and  insisted  upon 
having  his  wife  and  children. 

Our  Adjutant  volunteered  to  rescue  the  negro  family 
from  bondage.  I  furnished  him  with  transportation 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  95 

and  off  they  started  through  a  heavy  rain  storm,  as 
there  was  no  time  to  lose,  for  we  were  momentarily 
expecting  to  leave  North  Carolina.  Half  an  hour's 
ride  brought  him  to  the  plantation;  they  found  the 
negroes  overjoyed  at  the  thought  of  being  released 
from  that  despotism  which  had  enchained  them  daring 
their  lives.  The  old  matron  and  daughters  "showed 
fight."  The  officer  told  them  to  keep  quiet,  as  he  was 
there  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  did  not  wish  to 
be  charged  with  shooting  a  woman,  but  the  negroes 
should  have  their  freedom  at  any  sacrifice.  The  hus 
band  picked  out  his  wife  and  children ;  they  were  put 
in  the  wagon,  with  their  luggage,  and  left  the  planta 
tion  amid  the  curses  and  groans  of  the  mistress. 

At  midnight  we  received  orders  to  strike  our  tents 
at  daylight,  and  get  aboard  transports  at  sunrise.  Long 
before  day  the  boys  commenced  tearing  down  and  burn 
ing  up,  and  at  daylight  our  camp  presented  a  scene  of 
desolation. 

We  are  now  leaving  the  dock,  with  flying  colors, 
for  the  briny  deep;  the  boys  are  jolly,  and  many  of 
them  well  filled  with  whisky,  which  is  a  great  curse 
to  most  of  the  men  and  officers.  At  sundown  the 
land  lay  in  the  distance,  hardly  visible  to  the  naked 


96  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

eye.  The  moon  is  high  in  the  heavens,  yet  in  her 
crescent  form,  making  the  ocean  look  like  billows  of 
silver;  a  fine,  steady  breeze  is  blowing  from  the  south, 
as  if  to  urge  us  on  to  our  destined  port,  which  is  Old 
Point  Comfort. 

Many  on  board  are  sick,  and  not  able  to  keep  their 
dinner,  for  which  they  have  just  paid.  I  feel  quite 
uneasy  myself,  but  am  determined  not  to  yield  to  the 
sickening  influences  of  the  vessel.  It  is  midnight,  and 
the  last  pale  ray  of  the  moon  has  disappeared;  dark 
ness  and  silence  surrounds  us;  our  vessel  plows  steadily 
through  the  waves,  leaving  a  track  of  fire  behind  her. 

The  gray  morning  is  at  last  breaking,  and  I  am  the 
first  on  deck,  to  greet  the  "  God  of  day,"  as  he  comes 
peeping  up  from  the  eastern  waters,  throwing  his  rays 
in  every  direction. 

The  sand  banks  which  skirt  the  shores  of  North 
Carolina  are  again  in  view,  but  lay  away  so  far  that 
they  appear  like  a  dark  cloud  on  the  horizon ;  we  soon 
came  in  full  view  of  the  sandy  beach ;  away  off  to  the 
west  stands  the  lighthouse  off  Cape  Henry;  we  now 
enter  the  great  harbor,  and  see  Virginia's  shores  on 
either  side. 

Directly  in  front  of  us  stands  Fort  Wool,  known  as 
the  Rip  Raps.  We  passed  under  its  guns,  and  came 


WANDEKING  THOUGHTS.  97 

to  anchor.  Our  Colonel  reported  to  General  Foster, 
who  commanded  the  Department  of  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina,  who  ordered  our  brigade  to  encamp 
at  Newport  News,  which  is  situated  on  the  James 

river,  about  six  miles  above  the  Fortress. 

* 

Newport  News  is  situated  on  a  high  bluff,  and  just 
opposite,  in  the  river,  lay  the  Cumberland  and  Con 
gress,  in  which  an  hundred  seamen  found  a  watery 
grave;  they  stood  by  their  guns  so  long  that  many 
found  it  impossible  to  gain  the  upper  deck,  and  went 
down  with  their  gallant  ship,  standing  by  the  flag  of 
their  ^country.  The  river  is  about  four  miles  wide, 
with  a  channel  deep  enough  for  the  largest  vessels 
to  sail  in. 

Opposite  is  seen  the  waters  of  the  Elizabeth  and 
Nansemond  rivers;  on  the  former  lays  Portsmouth 
and  Norfolk,  and  on  which  also  Gosport  Navy  Yard  is 
situated,  which  was  burned  in  the  early  part  of  the 
rebellion,  to  prevent  the  rebels  from  taking  it.  At 
the  mouth  of  these  rivers  lay  the  gunboats  Roanoke, 
Cambridge,  and  Minnesota.  The  former  is  a  three- 
turreted  monitor.  These  vessels  form  the  blockading 
squadron  on  the  James  river. 

One  of  the  greatest  luxuries  we  have  here  at  New 
port  News  is  plenty  of  good  water;  which  I  have  not 


98  KANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

tasted  before  in  seven  long  months.  One  of  the 
•greatest  hardships  which  our  army  suffers  is  to  be 
deprived  of  water,  and  it  is  probably  the  main  cause 
of  fever. 

The  autumn  leaves  are  falling,  and  the  hazy  sun- 
.sliine  of  November  gives  timely  warning  of  approach 
ing  winter.  I  took  a  walk  along  the  James  river, 
above  our  camp;  on  my  way  I  passed  a  graveyard, 
where  lay  some  of  the  defenders  of  our  country,  some 
of  those  who  died  in  the  early  part  of  the  Peninsula 
campaign.  As  I  gazed  on  those  little  mounds,  sad 
feelings  came  over  me;  they  were  the  graves  of  the 
illustrious  dead,  our  country's  heroes,  who  had  fallen 
by  the  wayside,  while  hope  and  faith  glimmered  in 
the  future. 

Only  eighteen  months  ago  one  hundred  and  thirty 
thousand  men  had  passed  this  point,  on  their  way  to 
Richmond,  full  of  hope,  and  love  of  country,  to  inspire 
them  on  their  toilsome  march.  But  'a  sad  record  is 
told  along  the  road.  Not  less  than  thirty  thousand 
found  their  graves  on  this  peninsula.  Here  they  rest 
in  peace,  free  from  toil  and  care,  nor  do  the  ravages 
of  war  disturb  them,  for  they  have  fought  their  last 
battle. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  99 

The  sun  was  fast  disappearing  behind  the  western 
forests,  as  I  turned  reluetlantly  from  a  spot  so  sacred, 
and  full  of  historic  reminiscences;  aside  from  these 
associations,  the  scenery  in  view  was  magnificent  beyond 
description,  bathed  as  it  then  was  in  the  golden  sun 
set,'  which  made  it  doubly  beautiful.  I  could  not 
resist  the  temptation  to  linger  there  until  the  twilight 
shades  deepened  into  night. 

This  morning  our  Major,  Chaplain,  and  myself, 
mounted  our  horses  and  rode  over  to  Hampton,  a 
distance  of  seven  miles  from  our  camp;  the  day  was 
warm  and  beautiful,  the  forest  leaves  were  dyed  with 
many  different  colors,  and  showed  plainly  that  a  frost 
had  visited  them ;  *  ut  on  our  way,  as  we  rode  across 
the  fields,  we  saw  many  wild  flowers  still  in  full  bloom, 
which  reminded  us  of  the  month  of  June. 

We  arrived  at  Hampton,  after  an  hour's  ride.  The 
first  building  we  saw  was  the  remains  of  an  old  Epis 
copal  church,  which  is  said  to  have  been  built  over 
two  hundred  years  ago;  its  porch  had  fallen,  but  the 
gables  and  side  walls  yet  stand,  a  monument  of  rebel 
barbarity.  The  building  was  built  in  Roman  style, 
and  in  form  of  a  Latin  cross;  the  grounds  in  which  it 
stands  are  enclosed  with  a  brick  wall,  well  studded 
with  weeping  willows,  and  like  most  ancient  church- 


100  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

yards,  had  been  used  for  burial  purposes  by  those  pro 
fessing  the  faith. 

This  was  once  a  delightful  spot,  but  now  the 
ravages  of  war  has  made  it  desolate;  its  monuments 
thrown  down,  and  the  slabs  which  cover  the  last  rest 
ing  place  of  the  honored  dead  are  broken,  and  many 
of  the  inscriptions  defaced.  I  sat  down  by  a  tomb 
whose  inscription  bore  the  date  of  1701,  a  date  which 
carried  my  mind  back  one  hundred  and  sixty-two 
years.  From  this  spot  I  took  a  sketch  of  the  old 
church,  after  which  we  left  our  horses  in  charge  of  a 
negro  boy,  and  took  a  walk  about  the  village.  Most 
of  the  buildings  had  been  burned  by  the  American 
vandals,  and  the  burnt  spots  were  being  supplanted 
by  negro  shanties,  which  were  built  here  in  great 
numbers.  We  stepped  into  one  of  them,  and  found 
an  oyster  vender;  we  partook  freely  of  the  bivalves. 
They  were  the  finest  I  ever  ate.  After  we  had  worried 
the  darkey  some  twenty  minutes  in  opening  them,  we 
paid  him  his  bill,  which  was  only  fifty  cents.  Oysters 
are  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  bay,  near  by, 
and  are  often  sold  at  the  rate  of  fifty  cents  per  gallon, 
solid  meats. 

We  returned  to  camp  just  in  time  to  miss  our 
dinner,  which  was  quite  a  disappointment  to  us,  after 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  101 

having  rode  some  fourteen  miles  on  horseback,  much 
fatigued  and  very  hungry. 

It  is  Saturday  night,  and  I  am  alone  in  my  tent, 
having  no  kindred  spirit  to  commune  with.  In  these 
solitary  hours  my  mind  wanders  back  to  my  home  and 
the  loved  ones  there.  How  little  they  realize  the 
lonely  hours  *f  camp  life.  The  soldiers  have  many 
such  seasons  for  reflection,  and  no  one  thought  pre 
dominates  in  his  mind  more  than  that  of  "Home, 
sweet  Home." 

Home  and  mother  are  the  first  words  that  become 
indelibly  impressed  on  our  minds;  they  have  an 
invincible  power  that  can  never  be  lessened.  There  are 
no  two  words  that  so  powerfully  excite  our  feelings, 
and  electrify  our  hearts  with  such  wild  emotions. 
How  many  have  left  their  happy  homes,  and  gone 
forth  in  defence  of  their  country!  Many  will  never 
return ;  their  moldering  bones  bear  the  record '  of  the 
strife,  in  which  they  were  severed  from  the  spot  they 
most  loved,  and  their  friends  are  called  upon  to  mourn 
their  1  ss.  Dark  hours  will  come  to  all  of  us.;  yet  they 
cannot  always  last,  the  light  will  come  again. 

We  must  not  give  up  in  despair,  in  this  struggle 
for  liberty.  Commer  we  must,  for  our  cause  is  just. 

Then   we  shall  have  a  peace  which  will  satisfy  our 

*9 


102  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

highest  aspirations,  with  a  Union  and  a  country  worth 
preserving : 

"For  right  is  right,  since  God  is  God, 

And  right  the  day  must  win  ; 
To  doubt  would  be  disloyalty, 
To  falter  would  be  sin." 

| 

The  news  reaches  us  to-night  that  the  loyal  people 
of  New  York  have  declared,  by  their  votes,  that  the 
Government  shall  be  sustained,  and  the  war  prosecuted 
with  vigor,  until  the  rebels  lay  down  their  arms  and 
submit  to  the  laws. 

Copperheadism  has  received  its  death  blow  in  the 
Empire  State;  she  has  declared  by  her  recent  vote  that 
her  armed  sons  in  the  field,  who  have  braved  the  storms 
and  dangers  of  deadly  strife,  shall  have  their  thinned 
ranks  filled  up.  Hereafter  let  there  be  but  one  senti 
ment,  and  that  UNION. 

We  must  stand  by  the  country,  right  or  wrong;  do 
not  let  us  falter  or  step  back ;  our  radiant  flag  must  be 
kept  untorn  and  floating  to  the  breeze.  Let  not  one 
star  be  torn  from  its  azure  field,  nor  one  memory  lost 
of  its  glorious  record.  Each  link  in  memory's  chain 
makes  a  chapter  in  our  country'^  history;  from  its 
pages  we  may  trace  golden  letters  formed  into  burning 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  103 

words,  standing  boldly  out  as  monitors,  pointing  us 
upwards  to  higher  and  nobler  deeds  and  purposes. 
The  cause  of  humanity,  and  hopes  of  freedom,  through 
out  the  world,  are  involved  in  this  deathlike  struggle 
for  our  nation's  life.  Let  not  our  hearts  grow  cold, 
or  our  sympathies  die  out;  let  not  patriotism  be 
exchanged  for  gold,  or  bartered  for  an  inglorious 
peace.  Our  ^Revolutionary  fathers  fought  for  liberty ; 
the  right  of  self-government,  that  precious  heritage, 
has  been  bequeathed  to  us  by  them.  The  sons  of  sixty- 
one  will  maintain  that  right,  and  the  rights  of  man, 
both  white  and  black.  Many  of  the  former  are  no 
better  than  slaves,  in  these  rebellious  States.  God 
grant  our  objects  and  purposes  may  soon  be  accom 
plished,  and  we  soldiers  return  to  the  bosom  of  our 
families,  to  enjoy  the  sweets  of  domestic  life. 

The  morning  is  bright  and  clear,  except  the  mist 
that  lays  on  the  waters  of  the  James  river;  the  little 
steamer  Flora  was  being  fired  up  to  take  a  trip  to  Nor- 
•folk,  and  I  took  passage  for  that  place.  We  made  for 
Se well's  Point,  and  thence  up  the  Elizabeth  river. 
On  our  way  we  passed  a  great  many  oystermen  in  their 
boats,  raking  up  the  bivalves  from  the  river,  where 
they  are  planted  in  beds,  grow  to  a  large  size,  and  are 
plump  and  luscious. 


104  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

The  water  here  was  about  ten  feet  deep ;  the  rakes 
they  used  were  iron  toothed,  made  in  pairs,  and  fas 
tened  like  tongs,  having  long  handles;  by  this  means 
the  oysters  are  brought  up.  Thousands  of  bushels  are 
taken  from  this  river  every  season. 

We  passed  Craney  Island,  and  the  old  mooring 
of  the  far  famed  Merrimac,  which  is  a  large  block 
of  wood,  some  ten  feet  square,  and  firmly  secured  by 
means  of  anchors.  A  mooring  of  this  kind  is  much 
more  handy  than  to  cast  anchor ;  for  in  case  of  a  sudden 
attack,,  the  cable  can  be  dropped  in  much  less  time  than 
an  anchor  can  be  raised.  Not  far  from  this  point  lay 
the  Merrimac,  sunk  just  beneath  the  water's  edge, 
awaiting  the  wreckers'  pleasure  to  be  raised.  I  under 
stood  from  one  of  the  wreckers,  they  were  to  have 
forty-five  per  cent  of  her  value,  when  she  is  afloat. 

We  passed  Fort  Norfolk,  and  landed  at  the  city 
dock,  just  in  time  to  take  the  ferry  boat  for  Ports 
mouth.  At  the  navy  yard  I  saw  the  old  United 
States,  which  had  just  been  raised  and  brought  to  the* 
yard,  to  have  the  iron  and  copper  taken  from  her. 

I  returned  to  Norfolk,  and  rambled  through  its 
streets.  I  found  it  a  handsome  place,  containing  many 
fine  buildings.  The  Custom  House  is  a  large  stone 
structure,  built  in  Grecian  style,  after  the  Corinthian 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  105 

order.  It  also  contains  two  hotels,  the  National  and 
Atlantic.  In  a  sitting  room  of  one  of  these  hotels,  I 
saw  a  bill  posted,  notifying  the  guests  that  no  political 
discussions  would  be  allowed,  either  in  the  house 
or  on  the  stoop.  While  there  I  saw  many  seedy  old 
gentlemen  hanging  around,  who  appeared  to  belong  to 
the  F.  F.  V.'s,  and  it  seemed  to  me  they  had  seen 
better  days.  Their  threadbare  coats  and  old  fashioned 
hats  bespoke  a  loss  that  none  understood  as  well  as 
themselves ;  their  hats  appeared  to  be  at  least  ten  years 
behind  the  age,  and  those  who  wore  them,  at  least  fifty ; 
they  were  men  not  fit  for  the  rebel  service,  and  were 
left  to  take  care  of  the  women  and  children,  many  of 
whom  are  now  widows  and  orphans. 

Norfolk  and  Richmond  wrere  the  principal  slave 
markets.  Here,  before  the  rebellion,  could  be  seen  the 
whipping  post  and  slave  pens;  also  the  father  and 
mother,  with  their  children,  brought  to  market  and 
sold  from  their  masters,  like  sheep,  to  be  separated 
forever;  and  this  in  a  land  where  we  have  boasted  so 
many  years :  That  all  men  were  born  free  and  equal, 
and  endowed  with  certain  inalienable  rights;  among 
them  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness. 
Thank  God !  that  day  is  past.  Many  of  those  slaves 
are  now  Union  soldiers,  and  are  helping  to  fight  the 


106  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

battles   of  our   country.     I   returned   to   camp  much 
pleased  with  my  visit  to  Norfolk. 

This  evening  (Nov.  17th)  our  regiment  received 
marching  orders,  to  be  ready  to  embark  on  board  of 
transports,  bound  for  Portsmouth.  "We  had  our  stores 
and  equipage  on  board  in  due  time,  and  on  arriving 
there,  received  orders  to  go  to  Northwest  Landing. 

I  transferred  my  stores  on  board  of  a  barge,  and 
was  towed  up  the  Elizabeth  river,  entering  the  Albc- 
marle  and  Chesapeake  Canal,  near  Great  Bridge,  while 
the  regiment  took  the  road  on  foot.  In  going  up  we 
went  through  a  desolate  country,  and  passed  the  mouth 
of  the  Dismal  Swamp  Canal,  which  unites  the  waters 
of  the  Elizabeth  with  the  Pasquotank  river,  and 
empties  into  Albemarle  Sound,  making  water  commu 
nication  with  Elizabeth  City,  North  Carolina. 

We  passed  the  mouth  of  the  canal  just  at  sundown. 
As  the  twilight  disappeared,  the  moon  came  peeping 
up  from  behind  the  thick  forests  of  Dismal  Swamp, 
and  afforded  us  a  beautiful  light  for  our  journey. 
Through  this  dreary  region  all  was  quiet,  not  a  mur 
mur,  even  from  the  toads,  was  heard.  It  was  quite 
cool,  and  ere  midnight  I  was  compelled  to  get  up  and 
rub  my  limbs  to  keep  warm.  Long  looked  for  day- 


WAKDEKDTG  THOUGHTS.  107 

light  appeared  at  last,  and  we  went  ashore  and  built 
a  fire,  by  which  we  warmed  ourselves.  Our  regiment 
had  bivouaced  near  by  us,  in  the  woods,  and  were 
ready  to  continue  their  march  to  Northwest  Landing, 
a  distance  of  fifteen  miles  across  the  country,  which 
was  infested  by  guerillas.  Eleven  wagons  were  loaded 
with  camp  equipage,  and  followed  the  regiment;  I  left 
a  guard  of  twenty  men  in  charge  of  the  balance  of  the 
stores.  We  reached  Northwest  Landing  at  dark. 
When  within  a  mile  of  the  place  two  soldiers,  who 
wrere  in  advance  of  the  guard,  were  suddenly  attacked 
by  some  guerillas;  one  was  shot,  the  other  taken 
prisoner.  The  regiment  bivouaced  for  the  night  in  a 
pine  grove,  at  a  place  called  Plug's  Hills.  Here  we 
built  winter  quarters. 

Thanksgiving  has  arrived,  and  we  have  kept  it 
much  to  our  credit,  in  these  backwoods  of  Virginia. 
In  the  morning  the  regiment  was  formed  in  a  hollow 
square.  Our  Adjutant  read  a  letter  from  Governor 
Seymour;  also  his  proclamation.  The  Chaplain  offered 
up  a  prayer,  the  Glee  Club  sang,  and  the  drum  corps 
played  Hail  Columbia,  after  which  the  Chaplain 
made  a  few  appropriate  remarks  on  the  war  and  its 
prospects.  The  exercises  closed  with  Yankee  Doodle. 


108  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

At  two  o'clock  we  sat  down  in  a  beautiful  pine 
grove,  having  a  rustic  table  built,  well  loaded  with  the 
good  things  of  this  life,  such  as  turkeys,  geese,  ducks, 
chickens,  quail,  sweet  potatoes,  tomatoes,  cabbage,  and 
other  vegetables,  with  plenty  of  ale,  and  pumpkin  pie. 
The  day  was  cool  and  pleasant,  and  will  long  be 
remembered  by  us  all,  as  the  Thanksgiving  dinner  in 
the  backwoods  of  Virginia,  near  Dismal  Swamp. 

Bleak  November  is  drawing  to  a  close;  to-day  is 
Sunday,  and  I  am  ordered  to  Norfolk  for  supplies. 
Myself,  teams,  and  a  cavalry  escort,  started  through 
the  storm,  riding  a  distance  of  twenty-five  miles, 
arriving  in  Norfolk  after  dark.  It  was  the  hardest 
half  day's  journey  I  have  experienced  in  the  army, 
and  I  was  too  tired  to  sleep  soundly,  even  on  a  feather 
bed,  which  would  have  been  a  luxury  under  other 
circumstances. 

December  comes  in  mild  and  beautiful,  much  like 
our  delightful  Indian  summers  at  the  North,  although 
the  long  nights  are  cold  and  cheerless  in  our  old  and 
much  worn  canvas  houses. 

Our  camp  is  situated  in  a  pine  grove,  which  was 
once  a  cornfield,  the  hills  of  which  are  plainly  visible. 
On  this  spot  some  Tories  were  hung  during  the  Revo- 


WANDEKING  THOUGHTS.  109 

lution,  they  having  given  the  enemy  information  as  to 
the  movements  of  our  army,  at  that  time. 

Some  three  miles  from  here  is  an  old  brick  church, 
which  was  erected  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago. 
The  roof  has  fallen  in,  and  its  walls  are  covered  with 
moss,  which  show  solidity,  after  having  stood  the 
storms  of  so  many  years. 

In  this  region  of  country  there  is  plenty  of  game, 
such  as  bears,  wild  cat,  quail,  squirrels,  &c.  I  was 
awakened  by  the  cry  of  a  wild  cat,  last  night ;  he  made 
the  forest  ring  with  his  screams,  making  night  hideous. 
This  is  a  dense  wilderness,  our  camp  lying  on  the 
borders  of  Dismal  Swamp,  whose  waters  flow  into  the 
Northwest  river,  and  is  called  juniper,  which  shrub 
is  abundant  in  this  swamp,  making  the  water  of  a  red 
color,  and  it  is  considered  a  healthy  drink. 

This  great  swamp  covers  an  area  of  some  three  hun 
dred  square  miles,  Lake  Drummond  being  in  the  center 
of  it,  from  which  Dismal  Swamp  Canal  is  fed.  The 
cypress  and  cedar  grow  very  large  here.  Juniper  is 
found  in  abundance,  and  woodbine  grows  wild  and 
rank,  clinging  to  every  shrub  and  tree  within  its  reach. 

This  was  formerly  a  great  rendezvous  for  the  run 
away  negroes.  Some  would  remain  secreted  here  for 

months,  living  on  game  and  roots.     In  the  season  when 

10 


110  EANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

corn  is  fit  for  use,  they  would  travel  miles  to  obtain 
it,  and  return  again  to  their  hiding  places  before  day 
break.  The  bloodhounds  were  often  used  for  hunting 
out  these  poor  creatures,  and  when  found  many  were 
shot  before  they  would  be  captured.  I  was  told  this 
by  one  who  had  experienced  it.  In  the  same  conversa 
tion  he  said  his  master  told  him  he  could  not  take  care 
of  himself,  if  given  his  liberty.  He  told  him  he  was 
willing  to  try  the  experiment,  as  he  and  his  family  had 
from  their  labor  supported  both  themselves  and  their 
master  and  his  family;  he  also  remarked:  "Now,  I 
say,  let  the  negro  have  his  freedom,  and  if  he  wont 
work  let  him  'root  hog  or  die/  dese  ar  my  sentiments." 

A  story  is  told  of  a  young  man  who  lost  his  mind, 
upon  the  death  of  a  girl  he  loved,  and  who  suddenly 
disappearing  from  his  friends,  was  never  afterwards 
heard  of.  As  he  had  frequently  said,  in  his  ravings, 
that  the  girl  was  not  dead,  but  gone  to  the  Dismal 
Swamp,  it  is  supposed  he  hqd  wandered  into  that 
dreary  wilderness,  and  had  died  from  hunger,  or  got 
lost  in  some  of  jts  dreadful  morasses. 

The  celebrated  poet,  Tom  Moore,  while  on  a  visit 
to  this  country,  hearing  the  above  related,  composed 
the  following  verses,  which  give  a  truthful  description 
of  this  dismal  region: 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  Ill 

Away  to  the  Dismal  S\vamp  he  speeds — 

His  path  was  rugged  and  sore, 
Through  tangled  juniper,  beds  of  reeds, 
Through  many  a  fen,  where  the  serpent  feeds, 

And  man  never  trod  before. 

And  when  on  the  earth  he  sunk  to  sleep, 

If  slumber  his  eyelids  knew, 
He  lay,  where  the  deadly  vine  doth  weep 
Its  venomous  tear  and  nightly  steep 

The  flesh  with  blistering  dew: 

And  near  him  the  she-wolf  stirr'd  the  brake, 
And  the  copper-snake  breathed  in  his  ear, 

'Till  he  starting  cried,  from  his  dream  awake, 

"  Oh !  when  shall  I  see  the  dusky  Lake, 
And  the  white  canoe  of  my  dear  1 " 

He  saw  the  Lake,  and  a  meteor  bright 

Quick  over  its  surface  play'd — 
"Welcome,"  he  said,  "my  dear  one's  light," 
And  the  dim  shore  echoed,  for  many  a  night, 

The  name  of  the  death-cold  maid. 

'Till  he  hollow'd  a  boat  of  the  birchen  bark, 

Which  carried  him  off  from  shore ; 
Far,  for  he  follow'd  the  meteor  spark, 
The  wind  was  high  and  the  clouds  were  dark, 
And  the  boat  returned  no  more. 

But  oft,  from  the  Indian  hunter's  camp, 

This  lover  and  maid  so  true 
Are  seen  at  the  hour  of  midnight  damp, 
To  cross  the  Lake  by  a  fire- fly  lamp, 

And  paddle  their  white  canoe. 


112  IVAXDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

Our  flag  presentation  took  place  to-day.  The  regi 
ment  was  formed  in  a  hollow  square,  and  our  Colonel 
stated  briefly  the  object  of  the  parade.  The  drum 
corps  played  the  Star  Spangled  Banner,  when  the  flag 
was  brought  forward  and  Captain  Ballard  made  the 
following  presentation  remarks : 

I 

"  Colonel,  Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  81st  Regiment  : 

"  The  morning  I  left  home  for  the  regiment,  I  was 
handed  one  hundred  dollars  by  Mr.  Ingcrsoll,  of  Lee, 
Oneida  county,  to  purchase  a  flag  for  our  regiment.  It 
was  an  unexpected  event,  to  me,  and  in  my  embarrass 
ment  and  thankfulness  I  am  afraid  I  did  not  make  a 
suitable  acknowledgment  for  the  gift. 

"It  may  be  proper  here  for  me  to  say  a  few  words 
in  regard  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ingersoll,  for  I  apprehend 
they  are  in  company  in  this,  as  they  are  in  every  other 
good  work,  although  but  one  of  their  names  appears  in 
the  letter  of  presentation. 

"The  great  Sahara  of  human  selfishness  and  avarice 
is  all  dotted  with  green  and  fertile  spots,  where  the 
weary  traveler  finds  encouragement,  refreshment  and 
repose,  and  the  remembrance  remains  in  his  heart. 
The  home  of  the  ones  who  make  this  gift  is  one  of  the 
oases  in  life's  desert,  among  the  many  who  are  half  dis- 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  113 

loyal,  among  the  many  who  make  noisy,  but  empty  pro 
fessions  of  their  faith  in  our  final  triumph.  They  are 
those  who  show  their  faith  by  their  works;  they  are 
emphatically,  and  devotedly,  the  friend  of  the  soldier 
and  the  soldier's  family.  In  their  homes  are  shown 
what  age,  youth  and  woman  can  do,  when  inspired 
by  patriotism  and  a  love  of  right,  to  help  preserve 
our  National  life.  From  the  first  outbreak  of  the 
rebellion  their  hands  and  purses  have  been  the  servants 
of  their  prayers.  The  dearest  object  of  their  affections 
has  not  been  counted  too  dear  for  an  offering  to  their 
country.  It  is  not  an  exaggeration,  when  I  affirm  that 
in  this  struggle  had  every  Northern  man,  and  every 
Northern  woman,  worked  with  a  zeal  and  an  energy 
like  theirs,  before  this  time  war's  bloody  tide  would 
have  been  stayed,  and  thousands  who  have  perished, 
and  will  yet  perish  on  the  battle  field,  might  have  been 
spared,  to  bring  comfort  and  gladness  to  their  homes. 

"It  has  been  said  that ( A  thing  of  beauty  is  a  joy 
forever.'  The  American  flag  is  a  thing  of  beauty; 
beautiful  in  its  chaste  simplicity;  beautiful  because 
it  is  the  emblem  of  Liberty,  Union,  Justice,  and 
Equality;  and  there  is  an  additional  beauty  imparted 
to  it  when  presented  as  now,  in  this  our  country's  hour 

of  peril  and  trial,  by  those  who  possess  loyal  hearts. 

*10 


114  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

"We  are  in  arms  to-day  to  fight,  if  necessary,  that 
the  flag  may  retain  its  proud  pre-eminence  among  the 
nations  of  the  earth,  and  that  it  may  be  a  joy  forever, 
to  all  people,  even  to  those  who  shall  till  the  fertile 
fields  of  the  South.  By  every  effort  in  its  power,  in 
the  future  as  in  the  past,  may  the  Eighty-First  see  to 
it — in  regard  to  our  country  and  its  free  institutions, 
in  regard  to  our  gallant  dead,  in  regard  to  the  loyal 
living  at  home,  in  the  field  and  on  the  sea,  in  regard 
to  future  generations,  and  the  estimable  lady  who 
makes  us  this  gift,  may  the  Eighty-First  New  York 
see  to  it  that  no  dishonor  stains  its  folds." 

To  which  our  Colonel  made  the  following  reply: 

"  Captain  Bollard: 

"In  behalf  of  the  regiment  which  I  have  the  honor 
to  command,  allow  me  to  say  that  I  was  not  a  little 
surprised  and  delighted  on  hearing  from  you  that  we 
had  in  our  very  camp,  surrounded  as  we  are  by  the 
enemies  of  our  country,  a  new  and  beautiful  'Star 
Spangled  Banner ; '  coming  as  it  does  at  this  opportune 
moment,  being  destitute  of  a  suitable  banner  around 
which  to  rally  in  the  hour  of  battle,  and  at  a  distance 
from  the  headquarters  of  the  Department  to  which  we 
are  attached,  and  in  sight  of  those  who  would  trample 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  115 

it  under  their  feet,  should  the  opportunity  offer,  which 
may  God  forbid.  By  the  strong  arm  of  the  Eighty- 
First  New  York,  it  is  more  than  welcome. 

"That  flag  presented  to  us  by  a  representative  of 
the  fair  sex,  will  be  doubly  dear  to  us;  it  being  an 
emblem  of  the  Union  of  States  not  only,  but  of '  hearts 
and  hands/  Every  time  we  gaze  on  its  azure  field, 
may  we  call  to  mind  our  brothers,  wives,  sweethearts 
and  sisters  that  we  have  left  behind,  and  remember 
that  we,  in  defending  that  ensign,  are  protecting  from 
invasion  the  firesides  of  our  loved  ones  at  home. 

In  accepting  this  National  emblem  from  Mrs.  E. 
C.  Ingersoll,  in  behalf  of  py  command,  I  can  but 
feebly  express  to  her,  through  you,  our  heartfelt  thanks 
and  gratitude  for  this  donation  at  this  time;  no  one 
thing  could  be  received  by  us  of  more  importance;  and 
I  trust  that  each  and  every  member  of  this  regiment 
will  consecrate  himself  anew  to  the  work  in  which  we 
are  engaged;  and  may  this  beautiful  flag  never  be  pol 
luted  by  the  touch  of  traitor  hands. 

"And  now,  fellow  soldiers,  one  and  all,  it  remains 
for  you  to  say  whether  this  flag,  respected  and  honored 
by  all  the  nations  of  the  earth,  far  and  near,  shall  be 
saved  from  disgrace  at  home.  Your  silence  tells  me 
in  language  not  to  be  mistaken  that  each  of  you,  if 


116  KANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

needs  be,  will  lay  down  his  life  to  defend  it  to  the  last 
from  enemies  abroad  and  traitors  at  home. 

"  Captain,  I  thank  you,  we  all  thank  you,  and  that 
Heaven's  choicest  blessing  may  descend  on  the  donor 
is  the  fervent  prayer  of  him  who  has  the  honor  to  lead 
this  '  noble  band  of  our  country's  defenders/  " 

The  flag  was  then  placed  in  the  hands  of  Sergeant 
Michcls,  of  Company  E. 

On  motion  of  our  Surgeon,  three  cheers  were 
given  for  the  flag,  after  which  the  Chaplain  asked  a 
blessing  on  the  donor  and  the  regiment,  in  future. 
The  companies  were  ordqped  to  their  respective  street, 
and  stood  at  "parade  rest"  while  the  drum  corps 
played  the  sunset  retreat,  to  the  tune  of  Sweet  Afton. 
The  scene  was  beautiful,  the  music  most  charming,  and 
when  its  last  echo  had  died  far  away  amid  the  lofty 
cedars  and  twining  woodbine  of  Dismal  Swamp,  we 
returned  to  our  quarters  and  partook  of  a  hearty  supper 
which  our  French  cook  had  prepared  for  us. 

Our  regiment  becoming  short  of  rations,  obliged 
us  to  resort  to  foraging.  A  detail  was  made  and  put 
under  the  command  of  an  officer,  who  went  out  some 
three  miles  from  our  camp  and  captured  a  number  of 
hogs  and  beef  cattle.  They  were  owned  by  a  disloyal 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  117 

citizen,  named  Wilson,  who  protested  against  having 
them  slaughtered,  as  they  were  all  he  had  for  his  win 
ter's  use,  and  he  was  much  afraid  he  would  starve  if 
they  were  taken.  We  told  him  necessity  knew  no 
law,  and  without  further  parleying,  the  hogs  were  shot. 
The  boys  yoking  the  cattle  to  his  cart  and  wagon 
brought  them  to  camp,  where  they  were  skinned, 
dressed  and  distributed  to  the  different  companies.  In 
the  meantime  Wilson  went  to  Norfolk  and  took  the  oath 
of  allegiance.  A  few  days  after  he  came  to  our  camp 
and  asked  pay  for  his  property.  I  told  him  that  we 
did  not  pay  cash,  but  would  give  him  a  receipt  for  the 
number  of  pounds  of  pork  and  beef  received,  in  the 
name  of  the  United  States  Government,  which  he 
seemed  willing  to  take.  Across  the  face  of  the  receipt 
I  wrote,  with  red  ink,  "disloyal  citizen"  which  he  at 
the  time  did  not  notice.  After  he  returned  home  he 
examined  it  more  closely,  and  found  he  had  been 
classed  as  a  rebel,  which  did  not  seem  to  suit  him. 
The  next  morning  he  came  to  my  quarters  and  asked 
me  to  change  the  receipt,  as  he  had  taken  the  oath  of 
allegiance.  I  told  him  I  could  not  do  that,  for  at  the 
time  his  property  was  taken  he  recognized  the  Con 
federate  Government  as  paramount  to  the  one  at 
Washington,  which  I  represented.  He  left  with  a  sad 


118  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

countenance,  seeming  to  think  his  receipt  would  be  of 
little  use — a  wiser,  if  not  a  better  man. 

The  clouds  look  gray  to-day,  and  the  air  is  chilly, 
indicating  the  approach  of  a  cold  storm.  Our  men 
have  commenced  rebuilding  the  bridge  across  North 
west  river,  which  will  take  some  days  to  complete. 

This  afternoon,  while  writing,  I  heard  martial  music 
in  the  distance,  which  soon  aroused  the  whole  camp. 
An  officer  came  galloping  in,  and  announced  to  us  the 
arrival  of  the  5th  United  States  colored  troops,  on  their 
way  to  North  Carolina.  The  music  sounded  beautiful, 
which  was  to  the  tune  of  "  We  are  marching  along." 
One  company  of  black  zouaves  accompanied  them  as 
far  as  our  camp.  This  company  was  drumming  up 
recruits  for  the  10th  Virginia  regiment,  which  was 
then  being  organized  at  Norfolk.  Their  dress  is  very 
attractive,  which  induces  many  to  join  their  ranks. 

The  negroes  are  flocking  around  the  old  flag  by 
hundreds ;  soon  we  shall  have  an  army  of  them,  suffi 
cient  to  cope  with  the  thinned  ranks  of  the  rebels. 
They  make  good  soldiers,  can  endure  hardships  and 
privations,  and  love  Liberty  and  their  homes. 

"The  naked  negro  panting  on  the  line, 
Boasts  of  his  golden  sands,  and  palmy  wine ; 
Such  is  the  patriot's  boast  where  e'er  we  roam ; 
His  first,  best  country,  ever  is  his  own." 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  119 

This  afternoon  the  Surgeon,  Chaplain  and  myself, 
took  aTide  on  horseback,  about  two  miles  beyond  our 
picket  and  videt  posts,  to  a  place  called  Hickory 
Ground ;  on  our  return  we  found  a  grove  of  persimmon 
trees,  which  were  loaded  with  fruit.  I  rode  under  one 
of  the  trees,  stood  on  my  saddle,  and  ate  my  fill. 

They  are  of  a  most  delicious  flavor  when  ripe;  but 
before  they  are  matured,  the  most  bitter  fruit  1  ever 
tasted;  the  trees  resemble  the  hickory,  and  the  fruit 
that  of  small  rotten  apples,  the  flavor;  that  of  a  date. 
The  natives  here  use  the  fruit  for  beer;  and  it  is  said 
to  be  good  for  fevers. 

On  our  return  we  took  a  by-road,  which  brought 
us  out  of  the  woods  in  sight  of  a  small  house.  "We 
drove  up  to  the  door  and  found  it  was  occupied  by  two 
ladies,  who  had  just  commenced  housekeeping;  they 
invited  us  to  call  again,  when  they  got  settled. 

We  drove  down  the  road  bout  half  a  mile,  and 
returned  on  a  full  gallop,  soon  reaching  the  wroods,  just 
beyond  the  house.  A  few  moments  after  one  of  our 
officers  was  fired  on  from  the  rear  of  the  house.  No 
doubt  the  Bushwhacker  was  in  the  house  at  the  time 
we  were  conversing  with  the  ladies. 

That  night  a  scouting  party  of  fifty  men  went  out 
about  eight  miles,  as  far  as  Indian  Creek,  and  at  day- 


120  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

light  arrested  a  number,  and  brought  them  into  camp 
for  examination,  but  could  find  no  clue  to  the  e»kmy. 

To-night  is  cold  and  cheerless;  the  moon  shines 
brightly,  and  nought  is  heard  except  the  sentinel's 
tread  as  he  walks  his  lonely  beat.  In  these  silent  hours 
of  the  night  the  heart  wanders  back  to  home  and  loved 
ones  there,  but  soon  returns,  unsatisfied  with  imagina 
tive  enjoyment,  and  then  it  dreams  of  its  early  boyhood 
and  the  fond  associations  of  those  dreamy  days  of 
youth  when  wandering  along  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk 
in  my  native  valley;  all  those  fond  recollections  come 
pressing  upon  my  mind.  What  would  I  not  give  were 
it  possible  to  recall  back  one  hour — one  single  hour — 
over  whose  memory  many  tears  have  been  shed.  How 
I  would  love  to  view  again  those  pleasant  scenes  where 
I  was  delighted,  before  hope  was  seen  glimmering 
through  a  dark  and  misty  future. 

To-night  the  old  school  house  presents  itself  to 
my  mind,  with  its  windbreaks  of  pines  which  sur 
round  it,  and  the  fleshy  and  jolly  old  schoolmaster, 
who  used  his  whip  so  freely  over  our  backs,  to  make 
us  respect  his  position.  Near  by  was  a  little  cottage 
hemmed  in  by  trees,  and  underneath  the  shades  of  one 
was  an  old  well  with  its  "Old  Oaken  Bucket,"  from 
which  I  have  drank  many  a  draft  of  cool  water  on  a 


THOUGHTS.  121 

hot  summer's  day ;  here  once  lived  a  happy  heart,  now 
passed  away. 

I  see  the  old  mill,  with  its  brook  still  serenely  flow 
ing — the  old  miller  long  since  gone  to  rest;  there  is  my 
native  city  in  the  distance,  lying  quietly  among  the 
hills  that  skirt  the  Mohawk,  with  its  tall  spires  silently 
tracing  life's  changeful  story,  and  pointing  to  those  who 
have  fled  and  gone  to  rest;  further  on,  in  the  distance, 
I  see  the  river  moving  in  silent  majesty,  on  its  way  to 
the  sea;  on  the  hillside  is  the  old  family  graveyard, 
where  lies  the  remains  of  one  who  was  dear,  and  around 
which  spot  niy  heart  still  clings.  It  is  my  mother's 
grave.  Near  by  my  little  sister  rests;  it  is  long  since 
she  died;  yet  the  scenes  are  fresh  before  me;  how 
plainly  I  see  her  still,  and  methinks  I  am  wandering 
with  her  on  the  play  ground,  but  which  is  no  longer 
pleasant,  for  the  happy  heart  that  enjoyed  it  so  fully 
has  passed  forever  from  my  sight.  The  trees  have 
grown  old;  the  flowers  have  faded  and  withered,  and 
I  shall  see  their  bright  smiles  no  more. 

The  remembrance  of  by-gone  days,  almost  destroys 
my  happiness;  vainly  have  I  hoped  to  still  the  mur- 
murings  of  my  heart,  forgetting  in  the  stern  realities 
of  the  present,  those  fond  days  of  the  past;  still  hope 

is  with  me,  and  when  every  tie  that  binds  me  to  earth 

11 


122  EANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

is  broken,  when  life  appears  a  dreary  waste,  and  every 
stream  that  feeds  the  heart  is  dried  up,  still  this  magic 
fountain  continues  to  play,  whose  murmurs  are  music 
to  my  weary  soul. 

I  hear  stray  shots  on  our  picket  line.  The  long 
roll  is  sounded,  which  brings  our  regiment  into  line, 
and  four  companies  are  dispatched  to  different  points. 
The  following  morning  brought  us  the  news  that  a 
large  rebel  force  had  crossed  at  South  Mills,  on  the 
Pasquatank  river,  and  were  advancing  on  General 
Wilde,  whose  colored  brigade  were  raiding  through 
that  section  of  the  country.  Our  Colonol  dispatched  a 
squadron  of  cavalry,  under  command  of  our  Major, 
who  advanced  as  far  as  Curratuck  Court  House,  and 
found  the  General  with  five  hundred  troops,  ready  to 
march  toward  our  camp,  having  sent  the  other  portion 
of  his  brigade  by  different  routes  to  Norfolk,  with  their 
contrabands  and  spoils. 

He  arrived  at  our  camp  about  midnight,  with  a 
train  of  seventy  wagons  and  carts,  of  all  descriptions. 
The  moon  shone  brightly  as  they  passed;  every  vehicle 
had  from  three  to  six  negroes  of  different  sizes;  it 
reminded  me  of  the  story  I  had  read  of  Moses7  flight 
out  of  Egypt,  they  bringing  their  masters'  mules,  oxen 
and  carts  with  them.  They  bivouaced  in  a  wood  near 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  123 

by.  The  weather  was  quite  cold.  We  made  the 
children  as  comfortable  as  our  means  would  allow.  I 
surrendered  a  part  of  my  quarters  to  the  women  who 
had  small  babes. 

General  Wilde  and  staff  were  our  guests  during 
their  stay.  We  gave  them  a  backwoods  supper,  which 
consisted  of  coffee,  bear  meat  and  potatoes;  they  had 
lain  by  their  camp  fires  for  the  last  two  weeks,  and 
were  much  fatigued.  The  General  is  a  tall,  slender 
man,  with  one  arm,  the  other  having  been  shot  off  at 
the  battle  of  Antietam ;  he  is  a  thorough  Anti-Slavery 
man,  and  is  proud  of  his  command.  At  Indian  Town, 
North  Carolina,  he  had  a  fight  with  a  large  band  of 
guerillas,  killing  and  wounding  many  of  them;  he  hung 
one  of  them  to  the  limbs  of  a  tree,  and  burned  their 
camps,  many  of  which  he  found  back  from  the  road, 
in  swamps,  and  had  to  march  his  men  single  file  over 
fallen  trees  to  reach  them.  One  of  his  men  was  cap 
tured,  and  he  took  the  wife  of  a  Lieutenant  of  the  band 
as  a  hostage  for  his  safe  delivery,  declaring  she  should 
meet  the  same  fate.  The  ammunition  that  was  found 
was  marked  "  Birmingham,  Eng."  This  shows  British 
neutrality,  with  a  vengeance. 

The  shortest  days  of  the  year  are  now  with  us, 
bringing  long  dreary  nights.  Our  pickets  are  again 


124  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

firing.  I  took  my  gun  and  went  out  with  a  party, 
and  found  they  had  shot  a  poor  negro  woman,  who, 
from  fear  of  being  captured,  had  run  away  from  home 
and  her  little  ones,  and  through  her  ignorance,  not 
halting  when  demanded  by  the  sentinel,  received  her 
death  wound.  Her  husband  and  a  number  of  other 
plantation  hands  had  been  run  over  the  lines  during 
the  day  by  emissaries  of  the  Confederate  Government. 
The  poor  woman  was  brought  to  camp,  and  soon  after 
ward  died.  During  the  night  her  husband  escaped  and 
came  into  camp,  where  he  found  his  dead  wife.  This 
was  for  the  love  of  freedom. 

"  Yet  it  may  be  more  lofty  courage  dwells 

In  one  weak  heart  which  braves  an  adverse  fate, 
Than  his  whose  ardent  soul  indignant  swells, 

"Warmed  for  the  fight,  or  cheered  through  high  debate." 

The  next  day  a  party  of  soldiers  wrere  sent  to  the 
place  where  those  negroes  lived.  Off  in  the  woods  was 
found  a  guerilla  rendezvous.  They  burned  all  the 
buildings,  leaving  it  a  scene  of  desolation. 

Old  Year's  day  has  arrived,  and  the  scenes  around 
us,  which  we  lately  beheld,  have  assumed  a  new  and 
chilly  aspect.  The  trees  are  shorn  of  their  foliage ;  the 
fields  have  lost  their  verdure,  and  the  wild  shrubbery 


\YANDEEING  THOUGHTS.  125 

yields  no  perfume.  Autumn,  like  a  friend  in  adversity, 
is  now  forsaking  us ;  everything  around  looks  dead,  and 
the  sweet  song  of  birds  will  not  be  heard  again  till 
spring  time  returns. 

Winter  has  its  pleasures,  even  in  camp.  The  boys 
congregate  around  their  camp  fires,  and  tell  their 
youthful  stories,  their  past  pleasures,  and  their  antici 
pations  for  the  future.  The  long  and  tedious  marches 
are  abandoned,  and  winter  quarters  taken,  in  place  of 
bivouacing  in  open  fields,  or  woody  glens. 

Although  the  life  of  a  soldier  is  one  of  toil,  hard 
ship  and  privation,  still  there  is  a  charm  in  it  that 
influences  all  of  an  enthusiastic  or  daring  disposition. 
When  the  soldier  is  exhausted  by  fatiguing  marches, 
or  overcome  by  the  heat  of  a  Southern  sun,  he  may  at 
times  sigh  for  a  return  to  a  life  of  ease,  and  long  for 
the  quietness  of  home,  and  its  domestic  comforts;  but 
^en  the  joys  of  meeting  friends,  and  visiting  old 
familiar  haunts,  are  over,  he  again  wishes  to  return  to 
the  exciting  scenes  of  the  soldiers  life  in  the  field.  To 
day  we  have  had  a  proof  of  this,  in  our  own  camp,  as^ 
over  one  half  of  our  veteran  men  have  re-enlisted  for 
the  war. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  war  unfits  men  for  peace, 
and  anxious  fears  are  entertained  that  it  will  be  impos- 


( 

126  KANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 


sible  for  our  armies  in  the  field  to  lead  peaceful  lives, 
after  this  great  struggle  is  over.  I  have  no  fears  as  to 
such  a  result,  although  they  dare  face  the  enemy's  can 
non,  and  the  rattle  of  musketry,  still  they  are  humane 
and  law  abiding  citizens,  whose  sympathies  are  easily 
excited,  even  to  tears.  Such  are  the  true  qualities  of 
a  noble  and  daring  heart.  Then  who  would  not  be  a 
soldier?  especially  when  engaged  in  such  a  grand  and 
righteous  cause. 

1  have  just  visited  the  pickets  on  the  distant  out 
posts.  Along  a  lonely  and  scarcely  beaten  path  I 
walked.  Not  a  murmur  was  heard.  The  gray  clouds 
had  deepened  into  night;  the  pale  moon  had  not  yet 
risen  from  her  accustomed  repose  to  light  my  footsteps. 
On  my  return  I  am  challenged  by  our  pickets  at  the 
river  side.  A  voice  is  heard  to  say:  "Who  comes 
there?"  "A  friend  with  the  countersign,"  is  the 
reply.  The  command  is  to  halt,  and  advance  oge 
step,  while  the  sentinel  receives  it  from  you,  with  the 
bayonet  at  your  breast;  this  is  the  routine,  with  either 
^friend  or  foe. 

The  midnight  alarm  often  brings  the  soldier  from 
his  happy  repose ;  but  he  is  ever  ready  and  willing  to 
meet  the  foe  of  his  country.  He  is  often  sent  through 
the  country  far  beyond  the  picket  and  videt  posts,  to 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  127 

watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  through  drenching 
rains  and  chilly  winds,  night  after  night,  having  no 
shelter  except  that  which  nature  affords,  with  his  gun 
secured  under  his  arm ;  here  in  solitude  he  whiles  away 
many  a  tedious  night,  while  the  stars  are  kindly  smiling, 
and  the  flowers  are  weeping  tears  of  dew;  then  his 
thoughts  are  roaming,  thinking  of  by-gones,  still  there 
are  griefs  in  his  bosom  he  cannot  quell;  no  heart  near 
beating  in  sympathy  with  his,  and  no  kiss  greets  him 
with  morning  dawn ;  but  hope  springs  up  in  his  heart 
that  a  message  will  come  from  some  dear  loved  one,  to 
revive  his  almost  drooping  spirit.  Homesickness  creeps 
on,  as  he  watches  day  by  day  for  these  comforters  of 
his  lonely  heart,  he  becomes  discouraged  oftentimes, 
and  then  deserts;  men  call  him  a  coward,  when  he  is 
only  starving  for  sympathy.  We  should  deal  kindly 
with  such,  for  each  heart  has  its  own  sorrows,  which 
earth  cannot  always  dispel. 


128  KANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 


1864. 


THE  1st  of  January  is  with  us.  Here  we  are  pent 
up  in  our  canvas  houses,  shivering  before  our  little  fire, 
giving  us  ample  time  to  reflect  on  the  events  of  the 
past  year,  and  the  great  uncertainty  of  the  future.  It 
is  a  lovely  morning;  the  sun  in  its  majestic  splendor 
has  left  the  horizon,  and  is  climbing  the  imaginable  arc 
overhead ;  the  air  is  piercing  cold,  instinctively  bringing 
us  near  the  burning  embers.  The  river  near  by  is 
frozen  over,  the  ice  looking  like  polished  glass  on 
which  the  boys  are  sporting. 

This  is  New  Year's  morning,  but  I  can  scarcely 
realize  it,  here  in  the  backwoods  of  Virginia;  but 
when  I  hear  the  greeting  of  "  Happy  New  Year,"  I 
am  reminded  of  by-gone  pleasures  and  unalloyed  happi 
ness  which  I  enjoyed  beneath  the  paternal  roof. 

War  has  deprived  us  all  here  of  the  pleasant  asso 
ciations  which  so  often  greeted  us  on  the  happy  New 
Year's  morning. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  129 

Our  respective  friends  might  all  enjoy  a  visit  here 
to-day,  to  see  our  cainp,  and  the  comforts  of  camp  life 
near  this  great  Dismal  Swamp,  if  there  are  any.  The 
tents  are  neatly  arranged  on  the  streets,  and  mounted 
on  log  cabins,  with  doors  on  the  street  front,  and  chim 
neys  on  the  rear,  built  with  barrels,  towering  high,  for 
flues,  with  the  smoke  from  them  curling  upwards. 

As  you  enter  a  dwelling  so  rudely  constructed,  and 
inquiringly  scrutinize  the  interior,  a  couch  mounted  on 
poles  attracts  your  attention,  and  perhaps  on  it  lies  a 
lazy  inmate;  he  may  be  smoking,  or  engaged  in  social 
amusement,  having  a  game  of  cribbage  or  euchre  with 
his  comrade,  to  dispel  thoughts  of  home. 

In  one  corner  stands  his  faithful  musket,  from 
which  has  issued  many  a  deadly  missile,  aimed  at  the 
heart  of  traitors;  in  another  corner  stands  a  rustic 
rack,  whereon  hangs  a  canteen,  towel,  haversack  and 
looking  glass ;  also  a  pipe  and  tobacco  in  a  pouch  near 
by.  Under  the  couch  you  may  see  a  box  of  hard  tack 
and  a  piece  of  pork,  with  the  grease  running  from  it, 
all  ready  prepared,  for  a  march. 

With  all  these  camp  comforts  the  soldiers'  winter 
quarters  are  dreary  and  monotonous;  and  nothing  is 
so  inspiring  as  a  good  social  letter,  especially  from  the 

"family."   Newspapers  are  always  welcome,  and   are 

*  X 


130  KANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

eagerly  sought  for  by  the  soldiers,  and  read,  even  to 
the  advertisements,  with  an  interest  little  dreamed  of 
by  the  kind  friends  at  home,  who  send  them. 

This  morning  a  party  of  fifty  men  went  out  on  a 
guerilla  hunt;  when  near  Indian  Creek  Bridge,  they 
saw  off  in  the  woods  an  old  building,  which  was  said 
to  be  a  guerilla*  rendezvous.  They  cleared  the  house 
of  its  inmates,  |ind  set  fire  to  it,  also  the  outbuildings, 
laying  them  all  in  ashes;  in  a  stack  of  corn  fodder  near 
by  was  found  a  double  barreled  gun,  loaded  with  shot 
and  ball,  which,  no  doubt,  was  hid  there  for  use 
against  the  Yankees. 

This  afternoon  our  veteran  recruits  were  sworn  in 
for  another  three  years;  they  are  to  receive  a  bounty  of 
eight  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars.  Everything  is 
quiet  in  camp,  with  the  exception  of  occasional  firing 
on  our  pickets,  and  it  is  rumored  that  the  enemy  are 
advancing  on  us,  by  way  of  South  Mills. 

February  is  very  mild  and  pleasant  thus  far.  To 
day  we  commemorated*  the  birthday  of  WASHINGTON, 
and  to-night  we  have  received  an  order  from  Major 
General  Butler  to  report  to  our  Governor,  at  Albany, 
New  York,  for  the  purpose  of  enjoying  a  furlough  of 
thirty  da^s  in  our  native  State.  This  brings  joy  to 


I 

WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  131 

many  an  old  soldier,  some  of  whom  have  not  seen 
their  families  in  over  two  years,  and  they  are  almost 
wild  with  delight  at  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  reunion 
with  friends  at  home. 

This  morning,  the  23d  of  February,  we  take  up 
our  line  of  march  for  Norfolk.  At  sundown  the  regi 
ment  bivouaced  near  Great  Bridge,  and  resumed  their 
march  in  the  morning,  arriving  at  the  defences  of  Nor 
folk  late  in  the  afternoon,  where  they  bivouaced  in  the 
fields  two  nights,  awaiting  the  arrival  of  transports 
from  New  York. 

On  the  27th,  our  whole  brigade  embarked  on  board 
transports,  the  Eighty-First  on  board  the  Prometheus, 
the  Ninety-Sixth  on  the  Cambria,  and  the  Ninety- 
Eighth  on  the  New  Jersey. 

It  was  noon  when  we  weighed  anchor  and  set  sail 
for  Hampton  Roads.  At  sundown  we  cast  anchor  off 
Fortress  Monroe;  a  heavy  sea  was  setting  in  and  we 
dare  not  venture  out  that  night;  it  blew  a  perfect  gale 
during  the  night.  Morning's  dawn  brought  a  change 
of  wind,  and  at  sunrise  we  set  sail  for  the  briny  deep. 
"We  soon  rounded  Cape  Charles,  bound  northward. 
The  next  morning  we  found  we  were  off  Jersey  shore, 
passing  Cape  May  with  her  monstrous  hotels  in  the 
distance.  This  is  a  great  resort  for  Northerners  during 


132  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

the  summer  months.  The  highlands  of  New  Jersey 
are  beautiful,  standing  up  boldly  from  the  ocean  bed, 
as  if  to  defy  the  rolling  billows,  as  they  come  beating 
against  them. 

Away  off  in  the  distance  is  seen  Neversink,  one  of 
the  finest  elevations  in  America,  with  its  peaks  tower 
ing  to  the  sky,  and  on  its  summit  stands  a  beautiful 
lighthouse,  throwing  its  rays  of  fire  off  on  the  briny 
ocean,  giving  the  mariner  light  to  avoid  the  shallow 
waters,  where  thousands  have  been  wrecked,  and  many 
lost,  never  to  tell  their  fate. 

The  sea  became  calm  as  our  vessel  neared  the  main 
land,  giving  us  a  delightful  view  of  the  beautiful 
scenery  which  presents  itself  on  either  shore,  as  AVC 
sail  up  the  channel  which  brings  the  traveler  to  the 
great  Emporium  of  America.  As  we  sail  up  we  see 
the  defences  of  New  York  and  its  surroundings,  which 
are  immense  fortifications  of  stonework  and  earth,  on 
which  are  mounted  not  less  than  three  hundred  guns, 
some  of  which  are  of  the  largest  caliber. 

We  anchored  off  Castle  Garden;  the  sun  was  at  its 
meridian;  the  waters  were  quiet,  without  a  ripple  on 
their  surface;  the  sky  as  beautiful  as  was  ever  seen 
from  Oriental  shore.  This  was  the  last  day  of  winter, 
but  one  of  the  lovliest  of  the  year. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  133 

Our  Colonel,  Adjutant,  and  myself,  went  ashore 
in  a  small  boat,  and  reported  to  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  Department. 

The  next  day,  which  was  the  1st  of  March,  our 
troops  disembarked,  and  proceeded  to  the  Park  bar 
racks,  where  they  found  good  quarters  for  two  days, 
and  in  the  meantime  were  reviewed  by  the  Mayor  and 
Common  Council,  in  front  of  the  City  Hall;  from 
there  we  were  escorted  to  Union  Square,  by  the  Eighth 
and  Thirty-Seventh  New  York  National  Guard,  and 
were  again  reviewed,  by  General  Burnside ;  after  which 
the  brigade  marched  to  the  National  Armory,  and  par 
took  of  a  collation;  from  thence  we  marched  to  the 
Hudson  River  Railroad  and  took  the  cars  for  Albany, 
arriving  there  the  next  morning. 

On  the  following  day  we  were  reviewed  by  the 
Governor  and  Legislature,  and  addressed  by  Speaker 
Alvord,  in  fitting  terms.  In  the  evening  the  regiment 
took  the  cars  for  Oswego,  where  we  were  received  the 
following  afternoon,  in  a  most  sumptuous  manner  by 
the  citizens  of  that  loyal  city. 

The  day  had  been  wet  and  exceedingly  unpleasant, 
but  our  arrival  brougttfc  out  an  immense  crowd,  which 

filled  the  streets;  although  exposed  to  a  drizzling  rain, 

12 


134  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

they  were  eager  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  returned 
veterans.  We  were  received  amid  the  cheers  of  the 
multitude.  The  merry  pealing  of  the  bells,  and  roar 
of  cannon  told  our  welcome.  We  were  escorted  to 
Babcock's  Block,  by  the  National  Guards  and  the 
several  fire  companies  of  the  city,  from  the  balcony 
of  which  we  were  welcomed  in  behalf  of  the  civil 
authorities,  by  Mayor  Grant,  as  follows: 

Officers  and  Soldiers: 

As  the  executive  officer  of  this  city,  I  have  been 
requested  to  congratulate  you  on  your  safe  return  to 
your  homes,  and  to  extend  to  you  that  cordial  wel 
come  which  a  grateful  and  generous  people  are  ever 
ready  to  bestow  on  the  brave  defenders  of  their  rights, 
and  the  liberties  of  their  country. 

To  me,  personally,  it  is  a  great  pleasure  to  be  the 
medium  of  communicating  the  high  appreciation  of 
your  townsmen  and  fellow  citizens,  of  your  heroic 
deeds,  your  gallantry,  and  noble  bearing  as  soldiers. 
You  came  not  unheralded ;  you  have  not  been  forgotten 
while  absent;  the  eyes  of  your  immediate  friends  and 
fellow  citizens  have  been  upon  you.  Already  have 
they  watched  you,  and  deeply  fiavc  they  sympathized 
with  you  in  your  long  and  fatiguing  marches,  your 


WANDEKING  THOUGHTS.  135 

exposure  and  self  denial,  your  patient  endurance  of  the 
hardships,  perils  and  deprivations  of  a  soldier's  life, 
as  well  as  the  determined  spirit  and  unflinching 
bravery  exhibited  on  the  battle  field,  in  the  midst  of 
death,  carnage,  and  the  war  of  artillery;  when  your 
brave  fellows  and  compatriots  were  falling  around 
you  like  the  ripe  grain  before  the  sickle. 

We  are  happy  to  greet  and  welcome  you  beneath 
these  gloriously  dilapidated  flags  of  the  noble  Eighty- 
First.  If  they  are  tattered  and  torn,  pierced  and 
blood  stained,  they  have  never  been  soiled  by  the 
unhallowed  hands  of  the  enemy.  Under  these  flags 
fell  the  gallant  McAmbly.  Most  nobly  have  you 
sustained  and  bravely  defended  them;  we  are  proud 
of  you,  and  honor  and  respect  you. 

Officers  and  soldiers,  your  record  is  a  glorious  one, 
that  of  participating  in  the  attack,  bombardment  and 
capture  of  Yorktown,  in  the  bloody  battle  of  Williams- 
burgh,  in  the  fatigue  and  inevitable  hardships  of  the 
camp,  the  march,  and  battles  of  the  Peninsula,  in 
the  unavoidable  exposure,  and  intense  suffering  in  the 
swamps  of  the  Chickahominy,  in  valiantly  and  success 
fully  sustaining  the  attack  and  holding  the  position 
against  a  vastly  superior  force  of  the  enemy  for  three 
and  a  half  hours,  in  the  unequal  yet  glorious  encounter 


136  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

of  Fair  Oaks,  in  which  heroic  and  sanguinary  battle 
about  eighteen  hundred  of  your  brave  comrades  were 
slain  or  wounded,  out  of  five  thousand. 

In  the  terrible  and  glorious  seven  days  fight  of  that 
memorable  and  skillful  retreat  to  James  river,  you 
occupying  the  rear  position  in  that  successful  move 
ment,  your  embarkation  for  South  Carolina,  and  your 
trip  to  the  Dismal  Swamp,  are  all  convincing  proofs 
as  to  your  loyalty  to  your  country. 

Amid  the  hilarity  and  the  convivial  congratulations 
of  this  proud  and  glorious  day,  is  to  be  seen  the 
evidences  of  real  sadness  interspersed  among  this 
assembly;  the  mournful  eye  beholds  the  remnant  of 
this  once  full  but  now  decimated  regiment  with  feelings 
of  sorrow  and  affliction,  with  the  only  consoling  reflec 
tion  that  the  slain  valiantly  sacrificed  their  lives  in 
behalf  of  their  country's  cause.  Their  return  we  can 
not  welcome,  but  their  daring  deeds,  their  patriotic 
devotion  to  their  country,  its  Constitution  and  laws, 
and  to  the  good  old  Union  under  which  we  have 
become  so  popular  and  powerful  a  people,  are  engraven 
in  letters  of  living  light  upon  the  hearts  of  their  coun 
trymen,  and  their  memory  will  be  hallowed  by  future 
generations.  It  has  been  your  fortune  to  escape  the 
terrible  fate  which  befel  so  many  of  your  comnuU-s, 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  137 

and  once  more  to  visit  your  homes,  and  again  embrace 
the  dear  ones  who  have  so  anxiously  and  constantly 
awaited  your  return. 

The  exhibition  of  public  respect  and  feeling  mani 
fested  by  this  large  gathering  of  your  fellow  citizens, 
who  have  come  together  to  do  you  honor,  is  a  flatter 
ing  testimonial  of  their  confidence  and  high  regard 
for  you.  The  noble  cause  in  which  you  are  engaged 
has  had  much  to  do  in  rousing  up  and  bringing  forth 
this  demonstration  of  public  sentiment. 

A  great  outrage  had  been  perpetrated  on  the  flag 
and  liberties  of  our  country.  The  execrable  and 
intolerable  dogma  of  the  right  of  secession  of  munici 
palities  was  proclaimed,  the  Union  was  separated,  the 
Constitution  entirely  disregarded,  and  the  laws  set  at 
defiance ;  treason  raised  her  hydra-head,  open  rebellion 
announced,  and  civil  war  with  all  its  horrors  was 
inaugurated.  The  country  called  for  troops  and,  to 
your  honor  will  it  ever  be  credited,  you  answered 
promptly,  and  voluntarily  offered  your  lives  upon 
your  country's  altar,  and  for  the  preservation  of  her 
liberties. 

The  people  deem  it  to  be  a  duty,  as  it  is  a  pleasure, 
thus  to  give  a  befitting  reception  to  their  brave 

defenders.      This   duty  we    shall   ever  be '  happy  to 
*12 


138  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

perform  as  long  as  there  is  an  absent  soldier  to  return ; 
and  our  joy  and  gratitude  at  your  return  is  only 
marred  by  the  recollection  of  the  absent  faces  left 
behind.  Well  has  the  Poet  said : 

"  Princes  and  Lords  may  flourish,  or  may  fade, 
A  breath  can  make  them,  as  a  breath  has  made, 
But  a  brave  soldier  is  his  country's  pride, 
Once  destroyed  can  never  be  supplied." 

About  three  years  ago  a  wicked  and  gigantic  rebel 
lion  was  projected  and  inaugurated,  to  sever  and  destroy 
this  then  happy  and  glorious  Republic.  Our  laws 
were  violated,  our  shipping,  our  forts,  our  munitions 
of  war,  and  our  revenues,  were  seized  by  the  ruthless 
hands  of  misguided  men,  in  open  acts  of  sedition  and 
conspiracy.  Even  our  noble  flag,  the  priceless  legacy 
handed  down  to  us  by  our  illustrous  ancestors,  was 
most  insultingly  fired  upon.  A  civil  and  vindictive 
war  being  thus  instigated,  you,  with  others,  most  nobly 
offered  your  services,  your  lives,  your  all,  in  your  coun 
try's  cause.  Your  achievements,  your  heroism,  your 
perils  in  war,  your  comrades  fallen  on  the  battle  field, 
all,  all  will  be  recorded  in  the  history  of  your  country, 
and  the  glorious  Eighty-First  will  live  on  the  historic 
pages,  when  those  here  assembled  shall  be  no  more. 


WANDEBINQ  THOUGHTS.  139 

The  tountry  has  again  called  for  troops.  Your 
friends  and  fellow  citizens,  knowing  your  gallantry, 
and  lofty  devotion  to  your  country  and  to  the  cause 
so  dear  to  your  hearts,  have  solicited  a  renewal  of  your 
services,  in  these  times  of  imminent  peril,  relying  con 
fidently  upon  your  cheerful  acquiescence  in  the  demand 
and  wants  of  your  Government. 

Noble  and  veteran  warriors!  correctly  did  they 
judge  that  you  possessed  the  patriotism,  courage  and 
indomitable  spirit  of  our  Revolutionary  sires;  that 
you  would  again  volunteer  to  participate  in  the  hard 
ships,  perils,  toils  and  bloody  conflicts  necessary  to 
quell  this  rebellion  For  this  purpose  you  have  cheer 
fully  re-enlisted  for  three  years  more.  For  this  "great 
sacrifice  and  devotion  to  the  rights  and  interests  of 
your  countrj'  we  cannot  repay  the  debt  of  gratitude 
we  owe  you,  by  any  act  of  ours. 

With  joy  and  pleasure  do  the  multitude  here 
assembled  hail  and  congratulate  your  return.  If  your 
return  has  produced  this  delight  and  raised  this  senti 
ment  of  public  respect,  with  what  real,  heartfelt  grati 
tude  and  enthusiasm  will  your  fellow  citizens  receive 
the  intelligence  that  your  patriotism  has  prompted  you 
again  to  volunteer,  and  to  re-enter  upon  this  terrible 
strife,  and  see  it  through  to  the  bitter  end. 


140  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

Officers  and  soldiers,  for  this  great  sacrifice  of  yours, 
as  well  as  for  your  former  achievements,  you  have  our 
thanks,  our  unfeigned  gratitude ;  our  most  ardent  desire 
and  sincere  wish  is  that  your  future  career  may  be  as 
prosperous  and  successful  as  the  undertaking  is  praise 
worthy  and  glorious.  May  success  attend  you  in  every 
effort;  may  the  fortunes  of  war  be  with  you  in  every 
undertaking,  and  may  all  of  you  live  to  return  again 
to  your  friends,  after  having  conquered  a  peace,  quelled 
the  rebellion,  restored  the  Union,  maintained  the  Con 
stitution,  and  vindicated  the  outraged  lawTs. 

You  have  enlisted  in  a  glorious  cause;  in  it  you 
have  our  ardent  desires  for  a  successful  and  triumphant 
termination.  May  your  movements  be  guided  by  wise 
counsels,  and  your  progress  be  onward,  and  forward, 
until  the  last  rebel  is  forced  to  lay  down  his  arms, 
sue  for  mercy,  and  ask  for  an  honorable  peace. 

Finally,  in  the  name,  and  also  in  behalf  of  your 
numerous  friends,  and  of  all  such  as  are  dear  to  you, 
I  bid  you,  a  most  hearty  welcome. 

The  Mayor's  adddress  was  received  by  the  boys  with 
enthusiastic  cheers. 

Our  Colonel,  in  behalf  of  the  regiment  responded 
as  follows : 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  141 

Mr.  Mayor,  Members  of  the  Common  Council  and  Citi- 

.  zens  of  Oswego : 

Allow  me,  in  behalf  of  the  gallant  Eighty-First 
New  York  State  Volunteers,  to  tender  you  a  soldier's 
thanks  for  the  spontaneous  outburst  of  warm  hearted 
feeling  manifested  by  this  enthusiastic  reception,  by 
the  masses  of  this  goodly  city.  If  the  people  of 
Oswego  are  satisfied  with  our  course,  we  feel  amply 
.repaid  for  all  our  sacrifices  and  sufferings.  In  making 
and  enduring  them,  we  feel  that  we  have  only  done 
our  duty  to  our  country  in  this  her  hour  of  peril ;  and, 
sir,  we  have  not  only  done  all  that  has  been  asked  of 
us,  but  we  have,  after  carefully  canvassing  the  matter, 
determined  to  return  to  the  field  and  do  all  we  can 
for  three  years  to  come,  if  needed. 

Allow  me%,  sir,  to  refer  to  the  time  when  those  tat 
tered  and  worn  colors  that  now  adorn  the  platform 
on  which  you  stand,  were  presented  in  yonder  park. 
Two  years  have  elapsed,  yet  the  sentiments  of  the 
Hon.  Mr.  Fitzhugh,  uttered  on  that  occasion,  are  still 
ringing  in  our  ears:  "Go  boys,  go,  and  sustain  the 
glorious  Stars  and  Stripes,  just  presented  to  you,  and 
you  not  only,  but  your  children  will  bless  the  day,  and 
feel  proud  when  they  remember  that  their  fathers 
helped  to  crush  out  bhe  great  rebellion  of  1861."  That 


142  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

* 

sentence,  sir,  will  continue  to  prompt  us  to  action,  and 
if  we,  like  others  that  have  left  ffefore  us,  should  not 
return  at  the  next  return  of  the  Eighty-First,  you  will 
do  us  honor  by  saying,  that  by  our  blood  was  our 
nation  brought  to  life.  Again  let  us  thank  you  for 
this  kind  reception. 

Cheer  upon  cheer  was  given  for  the  Eighty-First 
by  the  surrounding  multitude,  and  responded  to  by 
the  boys,  when  they  marched  to  Doolittle  Hall.  Here 
the  ladies  of  Oswego  had  been  busy  during  the  day, 
preparing  a  banquet  for  the  veterans  which  was  a 
grand  affair. 

The  hall  was  decorated  with  flags,  and  while  the 
veterans  were  partaking  of  the  good  things  which  the 
table  afforded,  the  band  discoursed  delightful  music, 
and  the  ladies  made  themselves  attentive  in  waiting 
on  the  care  worn  soldiers,  many  of  whom  were  the 
wives,  daughters  and  sisters  of  these  men.  After  the 
cloth  was  removed,  speeches  were  made  by  a  number 
of  the  officers,  complimenting  the  ladies  of  Oswego 
for  their  kind  reception,  and  telling  them  how  anxious 
t^ey  were  to  return  and  receive  their  smiles  and  best 
wishes.  It  was  midnight  before  all  the  audience  left, 
yet  the  tables  were  well  supplied  *vith  refreshments. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  143 

The  following  day  our  men  were  furloughed*  for 
thirty  days,  to  visit  their  respective  homes,  while  the 
officers  were  detailed  on  recruiting  service,  all  of  whom 
were  to  report  at  Fort  Ontario,  on  the  1st  of  April. 

Our  regiment  rendezvoused  at  Fort  Ontario,  from 
the  1st  to  the  12th  of  April,  and  then  left  by  rail  for 
Albany,  arriving  there  the  next  morning,  and  at  night 
took  the  steamer  St.  John  for  New  York.  On  our 
arrival  there  we  proceeded  to  the  Park  Barracks, 
where  we  remained  two  days,  and  then  embarked  on 
board  the  transport  Ericson,  for  Fortress  Monroe, 
where  we  arrived  on  Sunday  evening  after  a  delightful 
voyage  of  forty-eight  hours. 

We  lay  at  anchor  until  morning,  when  we  were 
ordered  to  Yorktown  with  our  whole  brigade.  I  was 
ordered  to  Northwest  Landing,  our  old  camp,  for  a 
detachment  of  our  regiment,  and  our  camp  equippage. 
I  left  Norfolk  at  midnight,  on  horseback,  for  our  camp, 
arriving  there  at  daylight,  having  had  a  very  lonely 
ride,  sleeping  part  of  the  time  on  my  horse,  that  faith 
ful  animal,  who  brought  me  through  in  safety. 

The  troops,  and  seven  loads  of  baggage,  started  for 
Great  Bridge ;  myself  and  detail  awaited  the  return  of 
the  teams,  with  seven  others,  which  were  to  be  sent  me 


144  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

by  the  way  of  Deep  Creek,  from  Portsmouth.  The 
next  morning  we  left  our  winter  quarters,  with  thir 
teen  loads,  direct  for  Norfolk,  arriving  there  at  sun 
down.  At  midnight  we  were  all  on  board  the  steamer 
Webster,  bound  for  Yorktown,  where  we  arrived  the 
following  morning,  and  the  old  members  of  the  Eighty- 
First  were  united  with  the  re-enlisted  veterans,  who 
were  encamped  on  the  plain,  just  outside  of  the  forti 
fications,  nearly  on  the  same  spot  which  we  had  occu 
pied  after  the  retreat  from  Harrison's  Landing,  in 
August,  1862. 

It  is  the  last  of  April,  and  the  weather  is  quite 
mild.  We  have  received  orders  to  send  all  our  lug 
gage  to  Norfolk,  except  so  much  as  can  be  put  in  a 
small  valise,  which  each  officer  will  be  allowed  trans 
portation  for,  during  our  active  spring  campaign.  The 
18th  Army  Corps  is  rendezvoused  at  this  place,  at 
Gloucester  Point.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river 
lays  the  10th  Army  Corps,  which  has  just  arrived 
from  the  Department  of  the  South,  where  they  have 
been  for  the  last  year  hammering  at  the  gates  of 
Charleston,  and  reducing  Fort  Sumter. 

The  entire  force  is  commanded  by  Major  General 
B.  F.  Butler,  who  is  a  particular  friend  of  Jefferson 
Davis  and  the  Southern  ladies.  I  hope  he  may  be 


WANDEKING  THOUGHTS.  145 

privileged  soon  to  issue  some  of  his  New  Orleans 
orders  in  the  city  of  Kichmond,  where  they  are  so 
much  needed;  also  to  release  our  prisoners  from  Libby 
and  Belle  Isle,  who  are  now  starving.  The  Thirty- 
Eighth  Pennsylvania  passed  through  our  camp,  having 
a  tame  bear  with  them,  weighing  about  three  hundred 
pounds ;  it  is  kept  by  the  boys  as  a  pet,  and  has  been 
with  them  ever  since  the  regiment  took  the  field. 

This  is  a  beautiful  May  day.  The  sun  is  high  in 
the  heavens,  throwing  its  genial  rays  over  hill  and 
plain.  The  cold  winds  have  ceased  to  blow,  and  quiet 
spring  has  returned  again  with  her  verdant  fields  and 
balmy  air.  The  fruit  trees  are  all  in  blow;  the  buds 
which  have  been  so  long  concealed,  have  burst  forth 
from  their  winter  prison,  giving  joy  to  every  eye. 

Just  two  years  ago  to-day  Yorktown  was  evacuated 
by  the  rebel  army,  under  General  Magruder,  and  our 
forces  under  General  McClellan,  entered  it  triumph 
antly,  planting  our  flag  on  the  ramparts,  which  has 
floated  there  ever  since. 

We  leave  Yorktown  to-day,  which  is  the  4th  of 
May,  on  board  of  transports;  our  destination  is  yet 
unknown.  It  is  a  grand  sight  to  see  so  many  trans 
ports,  loaded  with  troops,  and  the  Stars  and  Stripes 

13 


146  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

floating  from  so  many  mastheads.  During  the  night 
we  anchored  off  Fortress  Monroe,  and  in  the  morning 
our  transport,  John  A.  Warner,  set  her  bow  up  the 
James  river. 

The  sun  rose  beautiful,  and  a  more  splendid  May 
morning  I  have  never  beheld.  Not  less  than  seventy- 
five  transports,  of  various  sizes,  accompanied  the  expe 
dition,  with  probably  not  less  than  thirty-five  thousand 
men  on  board. 

The  James  river  is  wide  and  deep;  its  banks  are 
high  and  well  studded  with  wood.  Occasionally  is 
seen  a  country  residence  through  the  thick  foliage. 
This  is  one  of  the  finest  rivers  in  .America/and  witli 
Northern  enterprize  could  be  made  to  compare  favora 
bly  with  the  Hudson,  in  point  of  commerce,  but  not 
in  variety  of  scenery. 

A  portion  of  our  troops  are  disembarking  at  Fort 
Pochahontas,  on  the  east  side.  Here  lay  the  far-famed 
rebel  craft,  Atlanta,  which  was  taken  by  our  gunboats 
at  the  mouth  of  Savannah  river.  She  is  a  splendid 
ironclad,  carrying  eight  guns,  with  an  iron  cased  roof 
over  them. 

We  reached  Bermuda  Hundred  at  sundown.  The 
troops  were  hastily  landed,  and  our  regiment  marched 
out  about  a  mile,  and  bivouaced  in  a  wheat  field  for 


WANDEEING  THOUGHTS.  147 

the  night.  I  sought  shelter  with  my  horse  under  a 
holly  tree.  Here  lay  together  for  the  night  all  our 
field  and  staff  officers,  with  their  horses  by  them,  with 
nothing  but  the  earth  to  rest  upon.  We  flanked  our 
selves  with  rails  from  a  fence  near  by,  to  prevent  the 
passing  troops  from  running  over  us.  Revielle  was 
sounded,  and  orders  given  us  to  march  in  fifteen 
minutes,  in  which  time  we  had  to  boil  our  coffee,  and 
eat  our  pork  and  hard  tack. 

Soon  our  Corps  was  on  the  march  for  the  Peters 
burg  and  Richmond  Railroad,  which  lay  within  ten 
miles  of  us.  Our  regiment  marched  about  six  miles, 
and  encamped.  About  two  o'clock  heavy  firing  com 
menced  on  our  front.  The  Colonel,  Adjutant  and 
myself  went  forward.  On  our  way  we  met  General 
Butler  and  staff;  we  saluted  him,  which  compliment 
was  returned  by  the  General,  who  stopped  a  few 
minutes  for  conversation,  and  informed  us  that  the 
troops  on  our  right  had  carried  an  elevated  point, 
near  the  railroad,  which  was  an  important  position. 
The  day  was  very  warm,  but  our  troops  were  in  fine 
spirits,  and  felt  confident  of  holding  their  ground. 

This  morning,  May  9th,  we  received  orders  to  be 
ready  at  daylight,  with  one  day's  rations  and  sixty 
rounds  of  ammunition.  At  sunrise  the  whole  army 


148  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

commenced  to  move.  During  the  afternoon  sharp 
firing  was  heard  on  the  right  and  left;  at  midnight  our 
left  wing  was  attacked  by  the  Twenty-Fifth  South 
Carolina  regiment.  They  engaged  the  Twenty-Fifth 
Massachusetts,  who  drove  them  back  with  the  point 
of  their  bayonets,  with  great  slaughter.  I  saw  the 
dead  lay  in  heaps  on  the  field.  After  the  fight  I  took 
a  walk  along  the  railroad,  and  found  the  Third  Brigade 
bending  the  rails  and  burning  the  ties.  I  went  through 
the  woods  about  a  mile,  and  came  upon  a  turnpike, 
which  led  to  Richmond;  this  is  the  best  road  I  have 
seen  in  the  South. 

Some  very  heavy  firing  commenced  on  the  right 
of  our  line,  which  caused  our  left  to  be  drawn  in.  We 
built  a  barricade  across  the  railroad,  to  prevent  the 
rebels  seeing  us  withdraw  our  force,  which  was  done 
in  good  order,  leaving  General  Beauregard  without  an 
enemy  in  his  front,  and  returned  to  our  entrenchments. 
Many  fell  out  by  the  wayside,  exhausted  and  overcome 
with  the  heat.  The  woods  were  on  fire,  spreading 
over  an  immense  territory,  destroying  everything  in 
its  way. 

We  are  again  ordered  to  march  at  daylight.  Bc:ui- 
regard  has  left  Violet  Station,  where  our  last  battle 
was  fought,  and  has  taken  his  troops  to  Richmond. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  149 

Our  forces  are  on  his  heels,  driving  him  at  double- 
quick,  and  we  are  already  within  nine  miles  of  the 
rebel  capital.  We  have  succeeded  in  taking  the  first 
line  of  rifle  pits,  and  our  right  is  within  two  miles  of 
Fort  Darling. 

It  has  been  raining  for  four  days,  and  our  troops 
have  lain  in  the  trenches  all  this  time,  under  fire  of  the 
enemy,  with  very  little  to  eat.  Our  greatest  want  at 
present  is  vegetables.  Symptoms  of  scurvy  are  now 
prevalent,  and  many  of  us  have  sore  mouths.  Our 
rations  for  the  last  ten  days  have  been  hard  tack,  salt 
pork  and  coffee.  This  kind  of  diet,  and  lying  on  the 
damp  earth  at  night,  is  rather  unwholesome,  but  we 
can  do  no  better  at  present;  we  must  bear  our  priva 
tions  patiently,  for  a  soldier  has  no  right  to  complain, 
when  the  Government  is  doing  the  best  it  can. 

I  have  returned  to  camp.  It  is  the  solemn  hour 
of  night;  the  wasting  moon  sheds  a  hallowed  light 
upon  the  earth,  and  the  stars  but  faintly  gleam  in  their 
far  distant  homes.  The  lone  sentinels  pace  their  beats 
with  a  firm  step;  fear  is  a  stranger  to  their  breasts, 
nor  do  fancies  of  unseen  danger  fill  their  thoughts, 
for  their  visions  are  on  home,  and  those  dear  loved 
ones  who  are  waiting  around  the  old  hearthstones  for 

their  return. 

*13 


150  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

In  the  distance  the  plain  is  dotted  with  tents;  the 
camp  fires  have  ceased  to  burn;  within  the  tent  the 
soldier  sleeps,  dreaming  not  of  battle  fields,  nor  of 
scenes  of  sorrow,  but  of  happy  faces  and  happy  days, 
which  makes  his  sleep  so  refreshing. 

A  deep  and  hollow  rumbling  comes  wafted  by  the 
night  winds,  from  the  far  end  of  the  lines,  while  the 
echo  sounds  far  over  the  plains  'and  through  deep 
ravines.  It  is  the  long  roll — the  cry  of  "  To  arms ! " 
Next  comes  the  cry  of  "Fall  in!  fall  in!"  ringing 
through  the  camp.  The  men  obey  the  summons,  and 
prepare  for  battle;  some  may  tremble  and  turn  pale, 
but  not  a  word  is  spoken.  'Shadows  of  loved  ones  and 
home  flit  across  their  memory  in  quick  succession. 
They  are  on  the  eve  of  battle,  and  they  know  it. 
Who  of  them  will  not  return?  With  hearts  stout 
and  brave,  they  march  silently  to  the  conflict.  Such 
are  the  scenes  presented  to  the  soldier's  mind  when  on 
the  eve  of  battle. 

The  morning  dawn  brought  on  a  general  engage 
ment,  on  the  right  of  our  line,  near  Drury's  BlufF,  or 
Fort  Darling,  which  soon  extended  along  the  lines, 
and  lasted  until  nightfall.  Many  a  brave  man  fell 
that  day,  while  battling  for  his  country.  Our  boys 
stood  their  ground  nobly.  The  enemy,  with  their 


WANDERING  '  THOUGHTS.  151 

thirty  thousand  reinforcements  from  Richmond,  could 
not  drive  our  troops  from  the  position  which  they  had 
taken  in  front  of  the  rebel  works. 

As  the  declining  sun  was  throwing  its  last  rays  on 
the  bloody  battle  field,  we  received  orders  to  fall  back 
to  our  entrenchments.  Our  regiment  was  the  last  to 
leave  the  ground,  which  was  done  under  the  cover 
of  night.  Ere  midnight  our  dead  were  buried,  our 
wounded  were  all  cared  for,  and  our  troops  once  more 
secure  within  the  fortifications,  between  the  Appo- 
mattox  and  James  rivers.  Our  loss  that  day  did  not 
exceed  three  thousand  men  in  killed,  wounded  and 
missing. 

"  In  fame's  eternal  camping  ground, 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  glory  guards  with  solemn  tread 
The  bivouac  of  the  dead." 

The  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff  will  be  long  remem 
bered  and  talked  of  around  the  hearthstone  of  many 
families  both  North  and  South. 

This  morning,  at  one  o'clock,  we  were  aroused  from 
our  sleepy  couch  by  heavy  musketry,  very  near  our 
camp,  which  proved  that  the  rebels  were  advancing 
on  us.  After  about  twenty  minutes  firing,  they  fell 


152  EANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

back,  and  at  daylight  renewed  their  fire  with  increased 
vigor,  until  sundown.  They  were  met  by  our  troops 
with  a  coolness  seldom  witnessed.  At  night  our  whole 
brigade  commenced  strengthening  their  works,  and 
slashing  timber  in  front  of  them,  forming  an  abattis. 
At  daylight  the  rebels  sent  their  shot  and  shell  whiz 
zing  over  us  like  hail.  The  night  being  foggy,  they 
succeeded  in  planting  some  batteries  on  our  flanks,  and 
within  a  thousand  yards  of  our  works.  I  heard  balls 
from  their  sharpshooters  whiz  over  my  head  distinctly. 

The  rain  has  commenced  pouring  down  again. 
The  sick  call  is  beating,  and  not  less  than  two-thirds 
of  the  regiment  are  excused  from  duty,  on  account  of 
sickness,  and  exhaustion. 

I  have  just  visited  Point  of  Rocks.  On  this  high 
cliff  stands  a  sturdy  oak,  whose  leaves  have  fallen  from 
its  boughs  for  more  than  two  centuries,  and  under 
whose  shade  tradition  says  Pochahontas  saved  the  life 
of  Captain  Smith,  when  her  father,  Powhattan,  was 
about  to  sacrifice  him  to  gratify  his  savage  band. 

A  most  delightful  view  is  seen  from  this  rock  of  the 
Appomattox,  as  it  winds  its  way  through  the  high 
bluffs  which  skirt  it  on  either  shore.  Its  bed  is  inter 
spersed  with  islands  covered*  with  dense  foliage,  which 
presents  a  very  picturesque  appearance.  In  the  far 


WANDEEING  THOUGHTS.  153 

distance  is  seen  Petersburg,  quietly  nestling  among  the 
highlands  of  the  Appomattox,  with  her  spires  point 
ing  heavenward,  and  the  smoke  of  her  factories  hang 
ing  like  mist  around  her  dwellings. 

Here  is  also  a  fine  old  farm  house,  formerly  the 
residence  of  an  F.  F.  V. ;  at  present  Uncle  Sam  occu 
pies  it  for  a  hospital.  The  former  occupant  left  it 
suddenly,  on  our  arrival  here;  no  doubt  thinking 
Secesh  air  would  be  more  congenial  to  his  feelings. 
An  ice  house  was  found  here,  well  filled  with  that 
article,  which  was  much  needed  for  the  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers,  which  at  this  time  was  a  God-send 
to  us.  This  ice  was  made  in  the  winter;  it  was  taken 
from  the  river  and  put  together  in  layers,  and  then 
frozen,  which  made  good  solid  ice. 

On  my  return  I  rode  along  the  lines  of  our  earth 
works,  to  the  James  river,  and  suddenly  came  upon  a 
group  of  officers  sitting  on  its  banks.  I  learned  it  was 
General  Butler  and  staff,  watching  the  movements  of 
the  enemy,  who  were  trying  to  erect  some  batteries  on 
the  opposite  shore. 

In  the  river  just  beneath  our  feet,  lay  several  iron 
clads,  which  occasionally  threw  a  shell  at  the  enemy. 
On  the  opposite  side  I  saw  beautiful  wheat  fields, 
and  a  delightful  country;  the  ravages  of  war  had  not 


154  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

yet  visited  it.  On  my  return  the  rebels  had  com 
menced  an  attack  on  our  front.  My  horse  had  taken 
the  wrong  road,  which  brought  me  near  their  shell 
and  shot,  at  one  time  they  flew  thick  and  fast  around 
me,  sometimes  striking  too  close  to  be  pleasant. 

The  20th  has  already  arrived,  and  to-day  we  had 
quite  a  severe  battle;  the  left  wing  of  the  10th  Army 
Corps  were  engaged  near  our  camp.  It  commenced 
at  midnight,  and  lasted  until  four  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon,  when  the  enemy  fell  back.  At  night  they  drove 
in  our  pickets,  and  commenced  a  general  attack;  the 
roar  of  artillery  was  immense  on  both  sides.  It  was 
a  grand  spectacle  by  moonlight.  One  of  our  shells 
struck  a  caisson,  and  up  it  went,  like  a  volcanic  explo 
sion,  spreading  destruction  all  around.  A  grand  hur 
rah  went  up  all  along  the  lines.  We  soon  silenced 
their  guns,  and  all  was  quiet  again.  At  daylight  the 
enemy  sent  in  a  flag  of  truce,  asking  permisson  to  bury 
their  dead. 

This  morning,  May  27th,  we  received  orders  to 
strike  our  tents.  In  less  than  an  hour  our  whole 
corps  was  on  the  move.  It  is  a  grand  sight  to  see  the 
moving  columns  in  the  field,  and  always  brings  joy  to 
the  soldier;  but  this  is  not  all  that  goes  to  make  up 
the  life  of  the  soldiers  who  compose  the  grand  army 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  155 

of  the  Union.  Every  soldier  on  the  march  is  literally 
a  moving  kitchen,  for  he  carries  his  bed  and  tent,  and 
all  that  belongs  to  the  culinary  department,  upon  his 
back ;  hence,  whenever  a  soldier  halts,  he  is  at  home, 
and  can  proceed  to  housekeeping  at  once. 

We  marched  toward  the  James  river,  passing 
through  a  dense  woods  and  swamp,  where  we  found  a 
corduroy  road  had  been  built  for  us  by  our  Engineer 
Corps.  These  roads  are  formed  by  first  filling  in 
with  brush,  and  then  laying  timber  down  for  sleepers, 
or  string  pieces,  after  which  they  are  covered  with 
small  logs,  laid  parallel  with  each  other,  which  are 
also  covered  over  with  earth.  In  this  manner  army 
roads  are  built  through  swamps  and  low,  moist  ground, 
enabling  the  heaviest  wagons  and  artillery  to  pass  over 
as  easily  as  on  our  best  Macadamized  roads. 

After  a  march  of  three  miles  through  the  woods,, 
we  came  into  an  open  field,  where  we  remained  two 
days;  from  thence  we  marched  to  Bermuda  Hundred, 
and  embarked  on  board  transports,  bound  for  West 
Point,  on  the  York  river. 

The  day  is  beautiful.  The  trees  which  stud  the 
banks  of  these  noble  streams  are  fully  leaved.  As  the 
sun  was  sinking  in  the  western  sky,  throwing  a  halo  of 
light  over  the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake,  we  passed  Old 


15G  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

Point,  bound  up  York  river.  The  night  was  pleasant, 
and,  without  the  least  obstruction  to  impede  our  pro 
gress  as  we  forced  our  way  through  the  deep  waters, 
early  the  next  morning  we  arrived  at  West  Point, 
which  lays  at  the  intersection  of  the  Pamunky  and 
Mattapouy  rivers. 

We  made  our  way  up  the  Pamunky  in  haste,  which, 
by  the  way,  is  clearly  one  of  the  most  crooked  rivers  in 
America,  and  is  formed  by  the  waters  of  the  North 
and  South  Anna.  The  Mattapony  is  formed  from  the 
the  waters  of  the  Matt,  Ta,  Po  and  Ny. 

Early  in  the  afternoon  we  arrived  at  the  White 
House.  This  is  a  place  of  great  note,  and  has  been 
known  by  the  name  of  White  House  since  the  Revolu 
tion.  It  is  one  of  the  sacred  spots  of  Virginia.  The 
Custis  family  owned  this  plantation,  which  comprised 
many  hundred  acres. 

At  this  house  Gen.  Washington  courted  and  mar 
ried  Mrs.  Martha  Custis.  The  trees  under  whose  shades 
they  have  often  wandered  are  still  alive,  and  in  full 
vigor,  forming  now  a  delightful  shade  for  our  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers.  The  house  was  formerly  a  wooden 
building,  with  brick  foundation.  At  present  nothing 
remains  but  the  chimney  and  foundation,  it  having 
been  burned  since  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  157 

The  property  is  now  owned  by  General  Fitzhugh  Lee, 
of  the  rebel  army,  and  its  occupancy  by  the  military  is 
not  materially  improving  its  condition. 

This  is  the  last  day  of  Spring,  and  we  have  com 
menced  our  march  towards  Richmond.  We  reached 
New  Castle  about  midnight,  where  we  bivouaced. 

This  morning,  which  is  the  1st  of  June,  we  received 
orders  to  march  to  Games'  Mills,  which  we  reached 
about  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  day  was 
very  warm,  and  the  road  very  dusty;  many  fell  by  the 
roadside,  exhausted  by  heat  and  fatigue.  We  were 
ordered  at  once  to  the'  front,  where  the  enemy  lay 
awaiting  us,  behind  their  entrenchments,  at  a  place 
called  Cold  Harbor.  Soon  the  shot  and  shell  com 
menced  flying,  as  well  as  railroad  iron.  The  6th 
Corps  engaged  the  enemy,  and  the  fighting  lasted  until 
near  midnight;  in  the  meantime  a  number  of  other 
corps  were  arriving. 

After  the  fighting  ceased  my  Sergeant  and  myself 
laid  down  to  sleep  on  the  battle  field,  among  the  dead 
and  dying.  We  were  very  much  exhausted,  and  could 
find  but  little  rest;  the  earth  was  cold  and  damp.  I 
was  compelled  to  get  up  during  the  night  and  warm 

myself  by  the  camp  fire,  which  was  feebly  burning; 

14 


158  EAXDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

around  it  sat  some  wounded  soldiers,  who  had  just 
been  brought  in  from  the  picket  line.  A  continual 
cry  for  water  was  heard  from  the  wounded  and  dying 
around  us ;  I  took  my  canteen  and  gave  drink  to  those 
near  by.  When  morning  came,  I  found  many  had 
died,  among  them  were  several  to  whom  I  had  given 
water  but  a  few  hours  before.  The  trenches  were 
already  dug  by  a  fatigue  party,  detailed  for  that  pur 
pose,  and  before  sunrise  all  the  dead  were  buried, 
together  with  the  limbs  which  had  been  amputated 
on  the  previous  day. 

Early  this  morning  Lieutenant  Burke,  of  our  regi 
ment,  was  killed  on  the  picket  line.  He  was  tied  up 
in  a  shelter  tent,  with  a  pole  passing  through  it,  which 
was  hung  on  the  shoulders  of  two  boys,  and  carried  to 
the  rear.  He  was  a  joival  fellow,  and  often  had 
afforded  us  much  amusement  in  camp  by  his  histrionic 
readings,  songs  and  laughable  stories. 

On  the  3d  of  June  a  grand  charge  was  made  by 
the  2d,  5th,  6th,  9th  and  18th  Corps;  not  less  than 
125,000  men  were  engaged.  Our  Corps,  the  18th, 
made  a  desperate  charge,  and  carried  the  works  in 
their  front,  which  made  it  the  most  desperate  kind 
of  fighting.  Night  found  us  in  quiet  possession  of 
their  first  line  of  rifle  pits,  although  repeated  charges 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  159 

were  made  to  retake  them.  All  officers  were  required 
to  be  with  their  respective  regiments,  and  Surgeons 
within  three  hundred  yards,  which  brought  them 
under  a  heavy  fire.  Our  hospital  was  so  near  that  the 
enemy's  shells  passed  in  and  over  it,  which  made  it 
a  very  unpleasant  place  for  amputating  limbs.  Our 
Surgeons  worked  nobly,  looking  like  so  many  butchers ; 
many  were  bareheaded,  with  sleeves  rolled  up  to  their 
arm  pits,  some  of  them  spotted  all  over  with  blood; 
they  really  looked  horrifying. 

The  morning  was  dark  and  cloudy,  with  rain  at 
intervals;  the  day  was  cool,  and  far  more  favorable  for 
fighting  than  the  hot  Wednesday  which  witnessed  our 
last  struggle  at  Drury's  Bluff. 

Our  regiment  made  a  charge  across  an  open  field, 
and  through  a  dense  woods,  in  which  the  enemy  had 
a  continuous  line  of  rifle  pits.  The  slaughter  was 
terrible;  but  the  works  were  held  with  unsurpassed 
valor.  Throughout  the  day  a  perfect  hail  of  musket 
balls  and  shell  were  poured  in  on  us,  as  we  lay  con 
cealed  behind  the  earthworks.  I  saw  General  Grant 
on  the  field  that  day,  smoking  his  cigar  as  usual,  and 
taking  everything  with  the  utmost  coolness. 

In  this  engagement  our  regiment  lost  fifteen  officers 
and  one-half  their  men.  My  brother  was  shot  in  the 


160  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

foot,  in  the  early  part  of  the  engagement.  I  helped 
carry  him  from  the  field,  and  had  his  foot  amputated} 
after  which  he  was  sent  to  the  White  House.  The 
engagement  at  Cold  Harbor  was  one  of  the  most  severe 
battles  of  the  campaign.  Our  loss  was  not  less  than 
twenty  thousand  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Our 
Corps  lost  over  five  thousand  men,  and  the  most  of  our 
dead  were  left  unburied  on  the  field. 

The  body  of  Captain  Ballard  was  brought  from  the 
field  with  much  difficulty,  by  friends,  under  cover  of 
night.  I  took  him,  Lieutenant  Burke  and  Colonel 
Weed,  of  the  Ninety-Eighth  New  York,  to  the  White 
House,  had  them  embalmed  and  sent  North.  The  jour 
ney  with  them,  at  night,  was  a  tedious  and  dangerous 
one,  carrying  them  and  one  other  dead  officer  in  an 
army  wagon,  without  an  escort,  a  distance  of  seventeen 
miles  through  the  enemy's  country,  which  was  infested 
by  bands  of  guerillas. 

The  next  morning  I  returned  to  the  front,  in  charge 
of  a  wagon  train,  two  miles  long.  About  midnight 
we  passed  through  a  deep  ravine  and  swamp,  through 
which  a  corduroy  road  had  been  built.  One  of  the 
teams,  near  the  rear,  got  off  the  road  into  the  swamp 
and  fastened,  which  delayed  us  an  hour,  and  we  were 
in  danger  of  being  captured.  The  night  previous  we 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  161 

had  lost  eighteen  teams  near  this  place,  taken  by  the 
enemy.  It  became  so  dark  that  we  could  proceed  no 
further,  and  we  bivouaced  for  the  night  in  an  open 
field,  arriving  at  the  front  the  next  morning  shortly 
after  sunrise.  I  went  to  the  rifle  pits  where  our  regi 
ment  lay,  and  delivered  a  mail. 

The  rebel  sharpshooters  kept  up  a  constant  firing 
at  us  here  for  twelve  day^.  "When  the  whole  army 
was  ordered  to  the  James  river,  our  regiment  was  sent 
back  to  the  White  House,  and  took  transports  for 
Bermuda  Hundred,  where  we  arrived  on  the  14th  and 
inarched  to  Point  of  Rocks,  bivouaced  for  the  night, 
and  at  daylight  crossed  the  Appomattox  on  a  pontoon 
bridge.  After  three  hours'  march,  we  encountered  the 
enemy,  and  drove  them  from  the  first  line  of  defences 
of  Petersburg,  and  at  sundown  stormed  and  carried 
the  forts  which  lay  within  two  miles  of  the  doomed 
city.  The  charge  was  made  on  the  first  line  by  the 
colored  troops,  who  showed  no  quarter  to  the  foe. 

From  an  elevated  line  of  the  captured  forts  we 
could  see  the  spires  of  Petersburg,  quite  visible,, 
through  the  foliage  of  the  surrounding  timber  land. 
Here  and  there  could  be  seen  little  clouds  of  smoke, 

bursting  suddenly  into  existence,  followed,  after  several 

seconds,  by  the  booming  of  cannon,  marking  the  posi- 

*H 


162  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

tion  of  rebel  batteries.  Most  of  them  were  opposite 
our  right  wing,  and  on  the  other  side  of  the  river, 
farther  in  the  distance,  can  be  seen  the  clouds  of  dust 
arising  from  the  enemy's  wagon  train. 

Yesterday  morning,  at  this  hour,  the  strong  breast 
works  on  which  I  now  stand  were  garrisoned  by  rebel 
troops.  From  here  is  obtained  a  splendid  view  of  the 
surrounding  country,  spread  out  like  a  panorama,  with 
fields,  hills  and  valleys,  dotted  over  with  the  camps 
of  the  two  opposing  armies,  the  one  commanded  by 
General  Grant,  the  other  by  General  Lee. 

It  was  a  good  day's  work,  when  we  consider  the 
value  of  the  captures  and  the  importance  of  the  posi 
tion  gained;  and  all  the  glory  is  attached  to  the  18th 
Army  Corps.  This  achievement,  added  to  the  service 
rendered  by  this  corps  at  Cold  Harbor,  for  thirteen 
days,  makes  our  record  in  conjunction  with  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  truly  a  brilliant  one. 

By  the  present  movement  on  the  south  side  of  the 
James,  a  new  order  of  operation  begins;  we  not  only 
threaten  the  communication  of  the  enemy,  but  we 
plant  ourselves  across  it,  and  cut  them  off  from  the 
city  of  Richmond,  which  will  cause  Lee  to  change  his 
base  of  operations,  or  lose  the  use  of  the  railroads 
coming  into  Petersburg  from  the  South. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  163 

Returning  to  the  rear  to-day,  I  overtook  some 
soldiers  carrying  an  officer  from  the  field.  They 
halted  a  moment  to  rest,  and  I  inquired  of  them  who 
they  had  there.  They  informed  me  it  was  the  Major 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth  New  York.  I 
immediately  dismounted,  as  it  was  my  friend  and 
townsman,'  Major  Charles  Pruyn,  and  accompainied 
his  remains  to  the  rear,  where  he  was  put  in  a  small 
outbuilding.  On  examining  his  wound,  it  appeared 
to  be  made  by  a  shell  or  solid  shot,  carrying  away  his 
heart  and  lungs.  I  saw  a  Chaplain,  who  promised 
me  he  would  have  Mm  embalmed  and  sent  home.  I 
gave  him  his  mother's  address,  and  afterward  learned 
that  the  promise  had  been  fulfilled. 

Only  a  few  days  ago  I  was  with  him  at  Cold  Har 
bor,  sitting  under  a  tree  on  the  battle  field  quietly 
taking  a  lunch.  He  was  then  suffering  from  the  effects 
of  a  wound  in  his  foot,  from  which  he  had  not  yet 
recovered.  He  seemed  full  of  hope,  expecting  to  be 
mustered  out  of  the  service  at  the  end  of  the  summer 
campaign.  This  was  the  last  conversation  I  had  with 
him.  He  was  a  noble  fellow  and  a  brave  officer,  and 
his  loss  was  deeply  felt  by  his  comrades. 

The  commanding  General  issued  the  following  con- 

» 

gratulatory  address : 


164  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

"  To  the  Eighteenth  Army  Corps: 

"The  General  commanding  desires  to  express  to 
his  command  his  appreciation  of  their  soldierly  quali 
ties,  as  they  have  been  displayed  during  the  campaign 
of  the  last  seventeen  days. 

"  Within  that  time  they  have  been  called  upon  to 
undergo  all  the  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life,  and  been 
exposed  to  all  its  dangers.  Marches  under  a  hot  sun 
have  ended  in  severe  battles;  after  the  battles,  watch 
ful  nights  in  the  trenches  taken  from  the  enemy. 
But  the  crowning  point  of  the  honor  they  are  entitled 
to  has  been  won  since  the  13tk  inst.,  when  a  series 
of  earthworks  in  a  most  commanding  position,  and  of 
most  formidable  strength,  have  been  carried,  with  all 
the  guns  and  material  of  war,  of  the  enemy,  including 
prisoners  and  colors.  The  works  have  all  been  held, 
and  the  trophies  remain  in  our  hands.  The  victory 
is  all  the  more  important  to  us,  as  the  troops  have 
never  been  regularly  organized  in  camp,  where  time 
has  been  given  them  to  learn  the  discipline  necessary 
to  a  well  organized  Corps  d'Armee.  They  have  been 
hastily  concentrated,  and  suddenly  summoned  to  take 
part  in  the  trying  campaign  for  our  country's  being. 
Such  honors  as  they  have  won  will  remain  imperish 
able. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  165 

"To  the  colored  troops  comprising  the  division  of 
General  Hinks,  the  General  commanding  would  call 
the  attention  of  his  command.  With  the  veterans  of 
the  18th  Corps  they  have  stormed  the  works  of  the 
enemy  and  carried  them,  taking  guns,  and  prisoners, 
and  in  the  whole  affair  they  have  displayed  the  quali 
ties  of  good  soldiers." 

On  the  17th  of  June  we  were  ordered  to  Point  of 
Rocks.  Crossing  the  Appomattox  on  pontoons,  we 
arrived  there  at  midnight,  and  bivouaced  in  a  field, 
where  we  remained  three  days,  to  obtain  a  little  rest, 
clothing,  and  change  of  food.  On  the  night  of  the 
'21st  we  returned  to  the  entrenchments  we  had  lately 
left,  which  were  within  about  one  mile  of  the  city  of 
Petersburg. 

Pontoon  bridges  are  built  by  using  small  boats  for 
butments,  anchored  in  the  stream,  parallel  to  each 
other,  a  distance  of  twelve  feet  apart.  These  are  flat- 
bottomed,  being  about  four  feet  wide,  thirty  feet  long, 
and  nearly  two  feet  deep.  The  string  pieces  are  about 
three  by  six  inches  thick,  and  the  floor  plank  one  inch 
'thick,  all  of  oak,  which  are  secured  by  pins  and  ropes. 
Sometimes  straw  is  put  over  the  bridge  floor  to  prevent 
the  enemy  hearing  the  tread  of  the  troops  while  cross- 


166  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

• 

ing.  These  bridges  are  very  readily  constructed  by 
the  pontoniers,  who  have  charge  of  this  work.  A  half 
a  mile  can  be  laid  in  one  night.  They  are  transported 
on  pontoon  carriages,  drawn  by  eight  horses,  through 
the  country,  following  the  army ;  each  boat  contains  the 
timbers,  floor  plank  and  anchors  necessary  for  a  span. 
This  branch  of  the  service  is  under  charge  of  the 
Engineer  Corps,  who  have  been  of  great  service  during 
the  war;  their  duties  have  been  numerous,  arduous 
and  dangerous. 

This  afternoon  we  were  visited  by  President  Lin 
coln  and  General  Grant;  they  passed  our  lines  amid 
the  deafening  cheers  of  the  army. 

The   weather   is   very   dry  and   hot,  and   I   have* 
pitched  my  fly  in  a  jiine  grove,  to  escape  the  hot  rays 
of  the  sun.     Here  I  found  a  quiet  sleep,  the  first  I 
have  had  in  six  weeks. 

A  general  cannonading  commenced  early  this  morn 
ing,  along  the  line  of  the  rebel  earthworks,  throwing 
solid  shot  and  shell  into  our  quarters,  which  compelled 
us  to  leave  them,  for  nearly  an  hour.  One  shell 
exploded  over  my  head,  throwing  its  fragments  all 
around  me;  another  fell  among  the  horses,  but  did 
not  explode.  I  picked  it  up  and  laid  it  away  for 
future  use.  In  the  meantime  the  rebels  charged  on 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  167 

our  pickets,  driving  them  in.  Our  boys  were  ready 
to  receive  them,  as  they  advanced.  When  the  rebels 
found  our  fire  was  too  hot  for  them,  they  fell  down 
and  surrendered  themselves  up  to  our  brigade.  There 
was  some  four  hundred  of  them,  and  about  two  hun 
dred  killed. 

I  had  a  conversation  with  a  rebel  prisoner,  who  had 
lost  his  leg,  and  was  patiently  waiting  for  our  surgeons 
to  opperate  on  him.  He  remarked  to  me  that  he 
thought  it  very  strange  to  meet  with  our  regiment  in 
so  many  engagements,  the  places  being  so  remote  from 
each  other.  He  said  his  regiment  had  engaged  the 
Eighty-First  at  Violet  Station  and  at  Drury's  Bluff, 
then  again  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  a  few  days  afterward 
he  was  taken  prisoner  by  them  in  front  of  Petersburg., 
He  said  our  Corps,  the  18th,  was  called  by  them  the 
"Flying  Corps."  Our  men  were  kept  in  light  march 
ing  order;  they  were  allowed  to  carry  only  a  blanket 
and  a  half  shelter  tent  with  them.  Our  corps  was 
designed  to  act  with  the  .Army  of  the  Potomac,  when 
necessary,  which  they  did,  and,  I  understood,  much  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  Lieutenant  General. 

After  every  battle  comes  saddening  sights.  If  you 
wish  to  see  the  "wrinkled  front"  of  "grim  visaged 
war,"  visit  the  hospital  aft^f  a  battle.  Go  to  the 


,168  '  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

operating  table  and  observe  the  delirium  of  the  subject, 
as  the  great  finger  of  the  surgeon  is  exploring  his 
bleeding  wound,  while  the  sufferer  is  under  the  effects 
of  chloroform,  that  blessed  neutralizer  of  pain. 

Sometimes  the  subject  lies  passive  under  the  severest 
operation;  at  other  times  he  imagines  himself  on  the 
battle  field,  in  deadly  conflict  with  his  antagonist,  and 
then  again  singing  some  favorite  song;  his  physical 
energies  exhausted,  he  sinks  into  a  short  sleep,  and  on 
awakening  finds  his  wounds  dressed,  and  oftentimes 
minus  a  limb.  There  are  some  who  sleep  that  sleep 
which  knows  no  awakening,  gone  ato  that  bourne 
from  which  no  traveler  returns." 

Return  to  the  hospital  in  the  morning,  by  gray 
•twilight,  ere  the  sun  has  arisen ;  there  you  will  see  the 
attendants  bringing  out  those  who  have  died  during 
the  night,  laying  them  in  their  blankets,  for  their 
wind  ing  sheet,  some  with  their  martial  cloak  around 
them,  in  a  row  outside  of  the  hospital,  preparatory  to 
their  burial.  Go  count  those  little  headboards,  made 
from  cracker  boxes,  which  stand  in  rows  over  the' 
graves  of  the  dead.  Under  yonder  tree,  perchance, 
the  form  of  some  acquaintance,  or  soldier  friend,  whose 
warm  hand,  which  is  now  cold  in  death,  you  but  yes 
terday  grasped,  may  rest*beneath  one  of  those  head- 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  169 

boards.  Virginia  is  filled  with  such  little  mounds, 
where  the  dead  heroes  lie,  with  nought  else  to  mark 
their  last  resting  place,  or  tell  the  tale,  that  here  lies 
one  who  fought  and  died  for  his  country's  cause,  which 
is  the  cause  of  mankind. 

The  cars  have  commenced  running  on  the  road 
leading  from  City  Point  to  Petersburg,  which  will 
make  transportation  much  easier,  both  for  the  wounded 
and  supplies. 

I  received  orders  this  afternoon,  from  headquarters, 
to  proceed  to  Norfolk,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  our 
regimental  books  and  papers.  I  took  my  horse  and 
orderly  and  rode  to  City  Point.  The  day  was  hot  and 
dry,  the  road  one  cloud  of  dust,  which  was  as  fine  as 
flour,  and  almost  suffocated  us.  At  City  Point  we 
passed  by  the  quarters  of  Lieutenant  General  Grant, 
which  are  in  a  fine  old  mansion,  standing  on  a  high 
bluff,  at  the  junction  of  the  James  and  Appomattox 
rivers,  beautifully  hemmed  in  with  foliage;  at  the  base 
of  the  hill  is  the  new  wharf,  which  had  just  been 
finished,  with  the  cars  on  it,  loaded  and  ready  to  be 
drawn  to  the  front.  The  river  was  filled  with  trans 
ports,  many  of  which  were  loaded  with  troops,  who  had 
just  arrived  to  fill  our  depleted  ranks.  The  sun  had 

just  set,  and  I  learned  from  the  Quartermaster  at  that 

15 


170  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

place,  that  no  boat  would  leave  for  Norfolk  until 
morning.  This  made  it  necessary  to  secure  lodgings 
for  the  night,  which  I  found  on  board  the  Sanitary 
boat,  where  I  had  a  comfortable  bed,  and  in  the  morn 
ing  a  good  breakfast,  which  was  the  best  I  had  eaten 
in  nearly  two  months. 

I  took  passage  on  the  Highland  Light,  having  a 
delightful  sail  down  the  James  river,  arriving  at  Nor 
folk  about  six  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

On  the  1st  of  July  I  returned  to  Fortress  Monroe 
and  took  the  steamer  John  A.  Warner,  for  City  Point, 
arriving  there  at  sundown.  I  obtained  a  conveyance 
from  the  Quartermaster,  and  started  for  the  front. 
The  night  was  beautiful,  the  moonlight  beaming  from 
a  soft  Southern  sky,  floating  through  the  forest  trees, 
lighting  them  with  a  bewitching  kind  of  beauty.  The 
air  was  balmy,  and  the  sky  without  a  cloud;  fireflies 
sparkling  like  diamonds  in  the  dense  forest  were 
flitting  around;  the  cry  of  the  whippoorwill  resounded 
through  the  woodlands  and  along  the  banks  of  the 
river;  while  the  hoarse  cry  of  the  croaking  toads  rose 
from  the  marshes. 

Soon  I  heard  the  booming  cannon  far  in  the  dis 
tance.  A  little  later  continuous  volleys  of  musketry 


THOUGHTS.  171 

• 
were  heard,  indicating  plainly  that  I  was  nearing  the 

enemy  and  our  outer  lines.  Soon  after  I  reached  camp 
much  fatigued  with  my  journey. 

Independence  morning  is  ushered  in  by  the  boom 
ing  of  cannon  from  our  forts  far  and  near,  and  the 
bands  and  drum  corps  are  discoursing  beautiful  music 
at  the  diiferent  headquarters  along  the  lines. 

Good  music  is  a  great  accessory  to  an  army.  Often 
times  it  drowns  the  groans  of  the  wounded  and  dying 
on  the  battle  field.  The  soldiers  perform  all  their 
duties  by  the  blast  of  the  bugle  or  the  taps  of  the  drum, 
and  the  calls  are  under  charge  of  the  chief  musician  or 
Drum  Major,  who  details  one  drummer  from  the  corps 
each  day  to  perform  the  routine  duties  of  the  camp 
calls.  First  com.es  Reveille,  at  sunrise;  then  the  Sick 
Call,  when  all  the  sick  assemble  at  the  Surgeon's  quar 
ters,  where  they  are  examined  and,  if  necessary,  excused 
from  duty  for  the  day;  next  the  Sergeants'  Call,  who 
assemble  at  the  Adjutant's  quarters,  and  report  the 
number  of  men  in  their  charge,  to  him,  and  also  receive 
special  orders ;  at  nine  o'clock,  Guard  Mounting,  which 
is  beat  on  the  color  line.  Officers',  Breakfast,  Dinner 
and  Supper  Calls  are  also  made ;  then  comes  the 
Retreat,  at  sundown ;  at  nine  o'clock  the  Tattoo,  and 
half  an  hour  later,  Taps,  peremptorily  requiring  that 


172  EAXDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

• 
all  lights  to  be  put  out  in  camp.     The  most  interesting 

of  all  calls  is  the  Long  Roll,  which  brings  the  regiment 
into  line  of  battle. 

Both  armies  seem  to  be  quiet.  Large  trains  are 
arriving  from  City  Point,  with  sanitary  stores,  such  as 
lemons,  oranges,  potatoes,  cabbage,  and,  best  of  all, 
onions,  which  we  have  been  so  much  in  need  of  for 
the  last  two  months.  I  think  sundown  found  the 
entire  stock  devoured. 

For  the  last  two  weeks  I  have  been  very  busily 
engaged  in  making  out  my  returns.  Having  very  sud 
denly  been  taken  ill,  with  symptoms  of  a  fever,  our 
Surgeon  sent  me  to  the  field  hospital,  near  Spring  Hill. 
Here  I  remained  nineteen  days,  gradually  failing  for 
want  of  proper  treatment,  and  over  doses  of  quinine, 
which  the  surgeons  seem  to  give  for  every  ailment,  from 
a  sore  toe  to  a  headache. 

On  the  24th  I  was  sent  to  the  Chesapeake  Hospital, 
on  a  steamer,  with  three  hundred  others,  sick  and 
wounded,  arriving  there  at  noon. 

It  is  a  beautiful  August  morning.  My  window  at 
the  Chesapeake  Hospital  opens  on  the  green  and 
velvety  lawn,  in  the  center  of  which  floats  our  glorious 
banner,  from  a  high  flagstaff.  The  bleating  sheep, 


THOUGHTS.  173 

the  plaintive  cry  of  the  sea  birds,  and  the  enchanting 
beauty  of  ocean,  sky  and  land,  all  present  a  scene 
which  Eden  itself  could  hardly  have  rivaled. 

The  building  is  large,  and  well  adapted  to  hospital 
purposes,  it  being  used  exclusively  for  officers.  Its 
apartments  are  well  furnished,  and  the  building  is  well 
provided  with  ventilation.  One  of  Ericsson's  caloric 
engines  fills  the  massive  tanks  near  the  roof  with 
water,  so  there  is  an  abundant  supply  in  each  story, 
for  bathing  and  other  purposes.  The  building  was 
originally  erected  for  a  young  ladies'  school,  and  was 
used  for  that  purpose  until  the  madness  of  treason 
desolated  the  homes  of  Virginia. 

There  are  about  six  hundred  patients  at  present, 
mostly  the  sick  and  wounded  from  the  battle  fields  of 
Virginia.  They  are  constantly  coming  in,  as  there  has 
been  no  cessation  of  hostilities  for  the  last  two  months. 
This  hospital  will  accommodate  about  twelve  hundred 
patients.  To  the  right  and  left,  in  the  foreground,  are 
barrack  hospitals,  built  in  the  form  of  a  Greek  cross, 
cottage  style,  and  each  will  contain  about  two  hundred 
patients. 

When  a  patient  is  received  at  the  hospital,  he  is 
conducted  to  his  room,  At  the  head  of  his  bed  is  a 

card  case,  and  in  it  a  card,  on  which  is  written  his 
*15 


174  KANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

name,  rank,  regiment,  and  corps;  also  the  place  he  was 
sent  from,  his  disease  or  wound,  his  age,  nativity,  and 
postoffice  address.  If  he  dies  while  here,  as  many  do, 
he  is  taken  to  the  end  of  the  hall,  in  the  ward  where 
he  lies;  at  this  point  a  dumb  waiter  passes  from  the 
ground  floor  to  the  attic  story,  on  which  conveyance 
he  is  carried  down  to  the  first  floor,  and  from  thence, 
on  a  litter,  to  the  dead  house,  where  he  is  embalmed 
or  placed  in  a  coffin  and  prepared  for  burial. 

Every  soldier  who  dies  here,  either  white  or  black, 
is  honored  with  a  military  funeral.  An  escort  with 
trailed  arms  follows  him  to  the  grave;  the  Chaplain 
performs  the  burial  service,  and  a  volley  of  musketry 
from  the  escort  proclaims  that  the  tired  soldier  sleeps 
that  last  sleep  from  which  there  is  no  awakening.  A 
headboard  with  the  name,  rank  and  regiment  of  the 
officer  painted  on  it  is  always  carried  with  the  coffin, 
and  placed  at  the  head  of  the  grave. 

The  mail  is  received  here  every  morning.  The 
Postmaster  makes  out  a  list  of  the  letters  to  be  dis 
tributed,  and  gives  them  to  the  master  of  each  ward, 
who  delivers  them  to  the  patients,  and  for  all  regis 
tered  letters  takes  a  receipt,  which  is  carefully  filed. 
The  same  care  is  exercised  in  reference  to  boxes  received 
by  express.  If  the  soldier  has  died,  they  are  returned 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  175 

to  those  who  sent  them,  as  well  as  all  other  effects 
belonging  to  him,  to  which  business  it  is  the  special 
duty  of  the  Chaplain  to  attend. 

Connected  with  this  hospital  there  is  a  farm  and 
garden,  consisting  of  an  hundred  acres  of  fertile  land. 
The  soil  is  light  and  easily  cultivated.  The  farming 
and  gardening  afford  very  amusing  and  healthful 
employment  for  the  numerous  convalescents.  The 
morning  glory  and  cypress  vine  thrive  here  with 
wonderful  luxuriance,  putting  forth  flowers  in  the 
greatest  profusion.  The  fences  are  entirely  covered 
with  a  dense  background  of  dark  green,  enlivened 
with  bursting  buds  of  the  most  brilliant  colors.  Thus 
this  military  farm  is  appropriately  girded  with  breast 
works,  ramparts  and  bastions  of  gorgeous  flowers.  In 
front  of  the  officers'  quarters,  where  the  invalids  are 
continually  passing,  a  neat  little  flower  garden  is  laid 
out,  which  is  chiefly  under  the  superintending  care  of 
our  lady  nurses. 

There  is  no  beam  of  sunshine  so  bright  as  that 
which  flows  from  the  consciousness  of  a  useful  life. 
Ft  is  well  that  flowers  should  adorn  the  parterres  of 
such  homes ;  and  these  flowers  will  bloom  in  none  the 
less  lovely  hues,  and  will  emit  no  less  fragrant  odors, 
because  the  pale,  tottering  invalid  soldier  is  charmed 


176  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

by  their  beauty,  and  his  senses  refreshed  by  their  per 
fume.  Every  home  should  be  adorned  and  beautified 
with  flowers;  they  leave  a  lasting  impression,  especially 
on  the  minds  of  the  young. 

The  Surgeon  in  charge,  Dr.  McClellan,  the  head 
of  this  establishment,  endowed  with  energies  which 
never  tire,  throws  the  support  of  his  encouragement, 
and  the  vigilance  of  his  eye,  upon  every  measure  to 
promote  the  general  good;  and  he  has  shown  liberal 
economy  in  expending  tens  of  dollars  now,  that  he 
may  save  hundreds  in  the  autumn. 

Between  two  and  three  thousand  bushels  of  pota 
toes  will  be  raised  here  this  year,  and  melons  and 
squashes  by  the  wagon  load.  The  demand  for  the  hos 
pitals  is  such  that  everything  must  be  furnished  by 
tens  and  hundreds  of  bushels. 

Early  in  May  last,  I  am  told,  the  vegetable  garden 
began  to  yield  its  fruits.  From  that  time  until  the 
frosts  of  December  the  patient  will  receive  an  abun 
dant  supply,  with  the  morning  dews  upon  them.  The 
soil  and  climate  is  such,  that  two  crops  each  year  can 
be  raised  on  most  of  the  land.  The  cavalry  camps  in 
the  vicinity  afford,  for  the  present,  an  abundant  supply 
of  dressing  for  the  land,  which  is  a  great  item  in  the 
expense  of  cultivating  a  garden. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  177 

The  Hampton  hospitals  are  near  by,  just  across  a 
small  stream  which  flows  into  the  bay;  they  form  quite 
a  picturesque  village,  consisting  of  about  thirty  cot 
tages.  These  buildings  are  so  placed  as  to  form  a 
triangle,  embracing  within  its  spacious  area  a  lawn  of 
many  acres,  traversed  by  walks,  and  lined  by  young 
shade  trees.  The  hand  of  taste  has  scattered  here  and 
there,  beds  of  blooming  shrubbery  and  flowers.  Most 
of  these  cottages  are  called  hospital  wards,  containing 
fifty  beds  each.  These  spacious  rooms  are  open  to  the 
ridge,  are  well  warmed,  and  thoroughly  ventilated, 
at  the  apex  of  the  roof,  and  are  kept  in  a  perfect  state 
of  neatness,  which  the  most  accomplished  New  Eng 
land  housewife  cannot  excel. 

The  advantages  of  the  cottage  form  of  wards  are 
manifest;  there  are  no  stairs  to  climb,  no  impure  air 
to  be  inhaled  by  the  patients;  and  in  case  of  fire,  the 
sick  and  wounded  can  be  instantly  removed.  There 
are  also  many  advantages  in  having  the  sick  together. 
The  soldiers,  accustomed  to  the  most  social  life  known 
upon  earth,  would  be  lonely  in  separate  apartments. 
In  the  ward  they  are  company  for  each  other,  as  the 
vast  majority  are  not  seriously  ill.  There  are  over 
two  thousand  sick  and  wounded  here  now;  some  are 
sitting  up  in  their  beds,  reading;  others  talking  or 


178  •  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

singing,  playing  chess  or  some  other  innocent  game,  to 
while  away  the  slowly  passing  hours  of  hospital  life. 

The  man  who  is  convalescent,  or  whose  wounds  are 
healing,  and  who  is  soon  to  be  discharged,  to  go  home 
to  his  friends,  is  often  the  happiest  of  men.  The  sick 
man  who  is  recovering,  sees  a  smile  in  every  blade  of 
grass,  and  hears  a  song.of  joy  in  every  whisper  of  the 
sea  breeze,  as  it  fans  his  feverish  cheek. 

Near  by  is  the  country  seat  of  the  late  ex-President, 
John  Tyler;  his  parlor  is  now  used  as  a  school  room 
for  contraband  children,  where  is  being  conferred  the 
blessings  of  education  upon  a  race  just  emerging  from 
barbarism.  Also,  near  by  is  the  beautiful  mansion  of 
Senator  Mallory,  who  is  now  a  member  of  the  rebel 
Congress.  His  broad  acres  are  confiscated,  and  are 
bearing  abundant  food  for  the  invalid  soldier.  His 
residence  affords  a  beautiful  home  for  the  Surgeon  in 
charge  of  these  hospitals,  who  is  a  man  that  knows 
how  to  appreciate  the  good  things  of  this  world. 

There  are  thousands  in  our  land  who  have  had, 
and  who  still  have,  friends  sick  and  wounded  in  the 
hospital.  Many  a  patriotic  father  has  had  his  heart 
torn  with  anguish,  as  he  read  the  name  of  his  own  son 
in  the  list  of  wounded.  Many  a  heroic  mother,  who 
girded  her  son  with  her  own  hands,  for  this  most  holy 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  179 

war  for  human  rights,  cannot  sleep  at  night,  as  she 
thinks  of  her  loved  boy,  bleeding  and  languishing  far 
away  from  friends,  in  the  wards  of  a  hospital. 

It  is  indeed  a  hard  lot;  and  yet  how  few  of  these 
sorrowing  ones  have  any  conception  of  the  abounding 
comforts  which  our  Government  has  provided  for  its 
stricken  soldiers;  comforts,  generally,  vastly  greater 
than  could  be  found  in  many  homes. 

I  am  convalescent,  and  have  been  anxiously  await 
ing  the  reply  to  my  application  for  a  leave  of  absence, 
to  go  North,  for  the  purpose  of  recruiting  my  health, 
by  inhaling  the  cool  mountain  air,  which  is  so  much 
more  invigorating  than  the  miasmatic  breeze  that 
sweeps  over  us  here,  from  the  swamps  and  lowlands 
of  this  Peninsula. 

The  clerk  has  just  notified  me  that  my  papers  have 
arrived,  and  have  been  approved,  which  makes  me  feel 
almost  like  another  man.  Out  of  one  hundred  appli 
cations  but  four  were  approved  by  General  Butler. 

I  left  the  Chesapeake  Hospital,  where  I  had  spent 
three  weeks.  I  took  the  horse  cars,  for  the  Fortress, 
which  was  about  a  mile  and  a  half  distant,  winding 
its  way  through  a  wilderness  of  tents,  occupied  by 
happy  contrabands.  At  the  Fortress  I  took  the  steamer 
Georgiana  for  Baltimore.  "We  left  near  sundown,  and 


180  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

proceeded  up  the  bay.  The  night  was  dark,  with  a 
heavy  sea  rolling  in  from  the  ocean,  the  boat  making 
the  waves  look  like  sheets  of  fire  in  our  track.  We 
stopped  at  Point  Lookout  to  put  ashore  some  prisoners, 
recently  taken  at  Dutch  Gap.  Morning  dawn  found 
our  boat  nearing  Fort  McHenry,  one  of  the  defences 
of  Baltimore.  A  little  further  beyond  is  seen  Federal 
Hill,  which  overlooks  the  city,  and  is  manned  by 
volunteer  troops. 

The  boat  landed  at  the  city  wharf.  I  took  my 
breakfast  at  the  Maltby  House,  and  from  ttare  took 
the  cars  for  the  Quaker  City.  At  Havre  de  Grasse 
the  whole  train  of  cars  were  run  on  board  of  a  steam 
ferry  boat,  carrying  us  across  the  river  in  safety.  We 
then  proceeded  on  our  journey,  without  a  change  of 
cars,  and  arrived  at  the  City  of  Peace,  at  noon ;  we 
continued  our  journey,  arriving  at  Jersey  City  at  six 
o'clock  P.  M.  The  ferry  boat  conveyed  us  across  the 
bay;  as  we  were  nearing  the  shore,  the  North  river 
boat  was  just  leaving  the  dock,  much  to  my  disappoint 
ment,  as  I  had  expected  to  connect  with  it. 

I  took  the  day  boat  the  next  morning.  It  was  a 
beautiful  day,  and  the  boat  was  loaded  with  passengers, 
mostly  on  a  pleasure  trip.  The  boat's  bow  was  turned 
up  the  river,  and  left  the  dock  with  flying  colors. 


THOUGHTS.  181 

Hoboken  lay  just  opposite,  with  her  walks  shaded  with 
large  trees,  and  extending  for  nearly  two  miles  along 
the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  terminating  with  the  Elysian 
Fields.  This  place  is  noted  for  its  many  fine  villas 
and  country  seats  of  opulant  citizens,  which  gives  the 
place  an  air  of  rural  comfort  not  often  met  with  so 
near  a  large  city.  A  little  above  this,  on  the  same 
side  of  the  river  is  Weehawken ;  it  lies  near  the  water's 
edge,  and  is  severed  from  the  land  view  by  a  precipi 
tous  ledge  of  rocks,  which  give  it  the  privacy  usually 
sought  for  in  such  places. 

Here  it  was  that  General  Hamilton  fell  mortally 
wounded  in  a  duel  with  Colonel  Burr.  There  was 
formerly  a  monument  standing  on  the  spot  where  he 
fell,  but  it  has  been  removed.  We  soon  passed  Fort 
Washington,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  which  was 
taken  by  the  British  in  the  early  part  of  the  Revolu 
tion.  Opposite  this  place,  upon  the  brow  of  the  Pali 
sades,  is  the  site  of  Fort  Lee,  which  was  abandoned 
by  our  forces.  Here  the  Palisade  rocks  present,  all 
along  on  the  west  margin  of  the  river  for  many  miles, 
a  perpendicular  wall,  varying  from  two  to  five  hundred 
feet  in  height.  These  are  sometimes  covered  with 
brushwood,  sometimes  capped  with  stunted  trees,  and 

sometimes   perfectly   bare,   but    always    showing    the 

16 


182  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

upright  cliff,  at  the  base  of  which  is  scarcely  room 
enough  for  a  foot  path.  Here  and  there,  in  the  cleft 
of  a  rock  is  seen  a  fisherman's  hut,  extending  to  the 
very  margin  of  the  stream.  The  water,  a  very  few 
feet  from  the  shore  is  deep,  so  that  vessels  run  quite 
close  to  its  rocky  sides. 

We  passed  Spuyten  Duyvel  and  the  mouth  of  Har 
lem  river,  which  forms  Manhattan  Island.  A  few 
miles  further  ride  brings  us  to  Sunnyside,  the  beautiful 
rural  residence  of  Washington  Irving,  the  great  Ameri 
can  historian. 

Tarry  town  is  near  by,  at  which  place  Major  Andre 
was  arrested  by  those  noble  patriots,  Paulding,  Wil 
liams  and  Van  Wart. 

We  are  now  nearing  Sing  Sing,  which  lays  off  to 
the  right,  on  a  quiet  bay,  with  its  white  buildings, 
looking  like  monuments  in  the  distance.  Haverstraw 
lies  to  the  left,  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river,  which 
is  a  neat  little  village.  Just  above  is  Stony  Point, 
the  site  of  a  fort  during  the  Revolution ;  a  lighthouse 
now  crowns  the  apex. 

Peekskill  is  in  sight;  it  is  one  of  the  most  romantic 
places  on  the  Hudson.  On  the  opposite  shore  is  seen 
Dunderburg,  or  Thunder  Mountain.  Near  by  is  the 
place  where  Palmer  was  executed  by  order  of  General 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  183 

Putnam,  whose  memorable  repty  to  Governor  Tryon, 
who  wrote  a  letter,  threatening  vengeance  if  .he  was 
executed,  deserves  an  enduring  record.  It  briefly  and 
emphatically  unfolds  the  true  character  of  that  distin 
guished  hero.  The  note  ran  thus : 

"SiR — Nathan  Palmer,  a  Lieutenant  in  your  ser 
vice  was  taken  in  my  camp  as  a  spy;  he  was  tried  as  a 
spy;  he  was  condemned  as  a  spy;  and  you  may  rest 
assured  he  shall  be  hanged  as  a  spy. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  yours,  &c., 

"ISRAEL  PUTNAM." 

"P.  S.   This  afternoon  he  is  hanged." 

One  mile  above  Peekskill  is  seen  Anthony's  Nose. 
This  mountain  is  a  complete  mass  of  rocks ;  it  rises  very 
abruptly  from  the  river,  to  the  height  of  eleven  hun 
dred  feet,  with  the  Dunclerburg  on  the  opposite  shore. 
Various  stories  are  told  concerning  the  manner  in 
which  one  of  these  mountains  obtained  its  name;  but 
little  credit  can  be  given  to  any  of  them. 

We  are  just  turning  the  steep  bluff  which  brings 
us,  unquestionably,  to  one  of  the  most  romantic  places 
on  the  Hudson,  West  Point.  Here  the  mountain 
towers  to  the  ethereal  vault  above,  making  our  vessel 


184  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

appear  to  a  spectator  qp  its  summit,  but  a  mere  skiff. 
The  ascent  is  very  abrupt  on  all  sides,  and  the  sur 
rounding  craggy  hills  seem  to  be  nothing  but  masses 
of  rocks,  fantastically  heaped  by  nature,  crowding  the 
stream  into  a  channel  less  than  half  a  mile  in  width. 

West  Point  is  noted  chiefly  as  the  seat  of  the  Mili 
tary  Academy,  where  most  of  our  regular  army  officers 
graduate,  receiving  a  military  education  at  the  expense 
of  the  Government.  Many  of  the  rebel  officers  were 
educated  here,  including  Jeff  Davis,  all  of  whom  have 
an  oath  registered  to  defend  the  Union  and  support  the 
Constitution,  which  they  are  now  basely  seeking  to 
destroy.  No  punishment  can  be  meted  out  too  severe 
for  such  perjured  villains,  when  captured.  On  the 
river  bank  near  the  parade  ground  is  Kosciusko's  gar 
den,  whither  he  was  accustomed  to  retire  for  study  and 
reflection.  Near  this  spot  is  a  clear  boiling  spring, 
enclosed  in  a  marble  reservoir.  Near  the  landing  is 
the  rock  from  which  was  stretched  across  the  river  a 
chain,  during  the  Revolution,  to  prevent  vessels  ascend 
ing  the  river.  Some  of  the  links  are  preserved  as  a 
curiosity ;  they  are  near  three  feet  long,  made  from  bars 
of  iron,  two  inches  square. 

A  few  miles  above  this  place  is  Undercliff,  the  resi 
dence  of  General  George  P.  Morris,  the  poet.  It  is 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  185 

situated  on  an  elevaied  plateau,  rising  from  the  eastern 
shore  of  the  river,  in  which  he  has  displayed  great  taste 
in  the  selection  of  such  a  commanding  and  beautiful 
position.  Immediately  opposite,  rising  almost  perpen 
dicular  from  the  water,  stands  the  "  Old  Crow's  Nest," 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  elevations  in  America.  The 
following  is  a  description  given  by  Drake : 

" '  Tis  the  middle  watch  of  a  summer's  night — 
The  earth  is  dark,  but  the  heavens  are  bright, 
Nought  is  seen  in  the  vault  on  high, 
But  the  moon,  and  stars,  and  the  cloudless  sky, 
And  the  flood  which  rolls  its  milky  hue, 
A  river  of  light,  on  the  welkin  blue ; 
The  moon  looks  down  on  the  old  Crow's  Nest, 
She  mellows  the  shade  on  his  shaggy  breast, 
And  seems  his  huge  gray  form  to  throw 
In  a  silver  cone  on  the  waves  below ; 
His  sides  are  broken  by  spots  of  shade, 
By  the  walnut  boughs  and  the  cedars  made, 
And  through  their  clustering  branches  dark 
Glimmers  and  dies  the  firefly's  spark, 
Like  starry  twinkle,  that  momently  break 
Through  the  rifts  of  the  gathering  tempest  rack." 

We  are  approaching  Newburgh.  Before  us  lies  a 
beautiful  bay,  curving  to  the  north,  until  it  is  lost  in 
the  distance.  Sprinkled  through  the  whole  course, 

with  the  white  sails  of  the  numberless  vessels  that  float 
•16 


186  RAXDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

upon  its  surface,  in  the  distance,  is  seen  fine  cultivated 
fields,  elegant  villas,  and  neat  rural  cottages,  gleaming 
through  the  tufts  of  foliage  that  surround  them. 

A  short  distance  south  of  the  village  of  Newbogh 
stands  the  old  stone  mansion  in  which  General  Wash 
ington  held  his  headquarters,  when  the  army  was 
encamped  here,  during  the  Revolution. 

It  is  noon,  and  we  have  made  half  our  journey, 
which  brings  us  to  Poughkeepsie,  the  first  table  land 
along  the  Hudson,  and  is  seen  conspicuously,  both  in 
ascending  and  descending  the  river. 

The  gong  is  sounding  for  dinner;  my  journey  has 
given  me  a  ravenous  appetite.  A  grand  rush  is  being 
made  for  the  saloon  below,  and  my  weak  knees  hardly 
feel  able  to  stand  the  pressure  of  the  stronger  ones.  I 
have  secured  a  good  seat  at  the  head  of  one  of  the 
tables,  which  is  loaded  with  all  the  delicacies  of  the 
season,  and  got  up  in  the  most  approved  style.  The 
guests  spent  an  hour  in  devouring  the  eatables.  When 
I  returned  to  the  deck,  the  Catskills  could  be  seen 
through  the  misty  air,  far  in  the  distance.  We  sailed 
for  near  an  hour  before  we  seemed  to  near  them.  Sud 
denly  our  boat  took  another  course,  following  the  bend 
in  the  river,  and  soon  we  were  brought  in  full  view  of 
the  high  peaks,  and  of  the  far  famed  Mountain  House, 


WANDERING-  THOUGHTS.  187 

which  is  one  of  the  coolest  places  of  resort  during  the 
summer  months,  commanding  an  extended  view  of  the 
surrounding  country. 

We  are  sailing  through  the  deep  water,  and  round 
ing  a  point  of  land  which  brings  us  to  a  high  bluff,  011 
which  is  situated  the  city  of  Hudson.  Ships  can  ascend 
the  river  as  far  as  this  place,  which  is  one  hundred  and 
twenty  miles  from  Manhattan  Island.  Tradition  says 
that  Henry  Hudson,  who  was  the  discoverer  of  this 
river,  ascended  as  far  as  this  place,  which  bears  his 
name.  He  went  on  shore  in  one  of  the  canoes,  with 
an  old  Indian,  who  was  the  chief  of  forty  men  and 
seventeen  women,  whom  he  found  in  a  house  made  of 
the  bark  of  trees,  which  were  well  finished.  He  saw 
large  quantities  of  corn  and  beans,  already  gathered  to 
dry,  beside  a  great  deal  more  growing  in  the  fields; 
two  mats  were  spread  to  sit  on,  and  eatables  were 
brought  in  red  wooden  bowls. 

Two  men  went  off  with  their  bows  and  arrows,  to 
kill  wild  fowl,  and  soon  returned  with  two  pigeons; 
they  also  killed  a  fat  dog,  and  in  a  very  little  time 
skinned  it  with  shells,  which  they  got  out  of  the  water. 
He  was  invited  to  stay  with  them  for  the  night,  which 
invitation  he  did  not  accept.  When  he  was  ready  to 
return  to  his  ship,  the  natives  concluded  he  would  not 


188  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

c 

stay  with  them  for  fear  of  their  bows  and  arrows,  they 
broke  them  in  pieces  and  threw  them  in  the  fire.  He 
also  found  grapes,  plums,  other  fruits,  and  pumpkins, 
growing  here  in  great  abundance. 

Two  hours  sail  brought  us  to  the  Capital  of  the 
Empire  State,  which  presents  a  most  beautiful  appear 
ance  from  the  river,  being  a  city  built  on  five  hills, 
with  Buttermilk  creek,  Beaver  creek,  Fox  creek,  and 
Tivoli  creek  passing  down  through  and  under  its 
streets.  The  State  Hall  and  the  Capitol  stand  on  the 
brow  of  a  hill,  some  two  hundred  feet  above  tide  water, 
from  the  domes  of  which  a  most  beautiful  view  of  the 
river  and  the  surrounding  country  can  be  obtained. 
To  the  west  is  seen  one  vast  sandy  plain,  extending  as 
far  as  Schenectady,  an  Indian  name,  signifying  the  end 
of  the  pine  plains. 

The  picturesque  beauty  of  the  Hudson  river  is 
beyond  description;  its  banks  forming  gentle  grassy 
slopes,  or  covered  with  forests  to  the  water's  edge,  or 
crowned  by  neat  and  thriving  villages.  The  legendary 
and  historical  interests  associated  with  numerous  spots 
combine  to  render  the  Hudson  the  classical  stream  of 
America. 

Just  two  years  ago  I  passed  down  this  beautiful 
river,  under  the  pale  rays  of  a  harvest  moon,  flushed 


t 


I 

WANDEEING  THOUGHTS.  189 

with  health  and  cheered  with  the  hope  that  peace 
would  crown  our  efforts.  I  left  ray  home,  wife  and 
little  ones  for  the  privations  and  dangers  of  the  battle 
field.  It  was  a  subject  which  had  long  agitated  my 
mind,  and  no  easy  one  to  decide  upon.  But  my 
patriotism  finally  triumphed  over  my  selfishness.  I 
knew  the  time  had  come  When  a  great  and  crushing 
blow  must  be  dealt,  or  our  country  would  be  lost. 
My  wife  did  not  try  to  weaken  my  resolution,  but 
helped  fit  out  my  wardrobe  for  the  field. 

"The  wife  who  girds  her  husband's  sword, 

Mid  little  ones  who  weep  or  wonder, 
And  bravely  speaks  the  cheering  word, 

What  though  her  heart  be  rent  asunder, 
Doomed  nightly  in  her  dreams  to  hear 

The  bolts  of  war  around  him  rattle, 
Hath  shed  as  sacred  blood  as  e'er 

Was  poured  upon  the  plain  of  battle ! " 

Now  I  return  from  the  battle  field,  sick  and  weary 
from  the  toils  of  an  active  campaign,  and  almost  dis 
heartened,  even  amid  victories  which  have  crowned  our 
arms,  but  as  I  near  home  a  cheering  hope  fills  my 
bosom,  with  thoughts  of  the  old  hearthstone  and  the 
loved  ones  around  it,  who  are  so  anxiously  awaiting 
my  return.  At  sundown  I  again  gazed  on  the  beautiful 
peaks  of  the  Catskill,  which  lay  off  to  the  south,  and  I 


190  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

• 
once  more  saw  'the  rural  cottage  in  the  distance,  with 

its  porch  and  tower,  where  the  woodbine  climbs  so 
graceful,  and  hangs  in  such  profusion,  with  the  Stars 
and  Stripes  floating  above  the  battlements,  where  they 
were  raised  at  the  commencement  of  the  rebellion.  I 
sir  its  winding  roads  and  walks,  the  green  lawn,  with 
its  trees,  flowers  and  shr%bbery,  which  makes  it  a 
delightful  spot  to  me,  for  it  is  my  home : 

"'T  is  sweet  to  hear  the  watch  dog's  honest  bark 

Bay  deep  mouth'd  welcome  as  we  draw  near  home, 
'T  is  sweet  to  know  there  is  an  eye  will  mark 
Our  coming,  and  look  brighter  when  we  come." 

The  sultry  days  of  August  have  faded  and  gone. 
The  distant  hills  are  bathed  in  a  smoky  light  as  I 
view  them  from  Woodbine  Cottage.  The  pure  air 
from  the  hills  around  will  help  renew  my  strength, 
and  I  then  shall  be  able  to  return  to  my  duties  in  the 
field,  with  renewed  hope  in  the  final  triumph  of  our 
arms,  resulting  in  a  lasting  peace. 

This  is  a  beautiful  September  morning;  the  land 
scape  never  looked  more  lovely.  The  dewdreps  sparkle 
in  the  sun  like  diamonds,  from  every  leaf  where  they 
had  gathered  during  the  night.  Fruit  and  flowers  are 
in  abundance,  all  producing  such  a  contrast  with  the 
once  peaceful  and  sunny  South. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  191 

The  original  term  of  enlistment  of  some  of  our  com 
panies  has  expired.  For  three  long  years  have  they 
been  in  the  service,  and  how  varied  has  been  the  scenes 
and  terrible  the  conflicts  in  which  they  have  been 
engaged.  How  little  do  those  at  home  know  the  suf 
fering  that  has  been  endured  by  these  brave  soldiers 
on  the  battle  field,  in  prisons,  and  hospitals.  Our 
country  should  ever  be  grateful  for  their  services. 
Many  of  those  brave  men  had  left  pleasant  homes, 
expecting  to  be  absent  from  them  only  a  few  months ; 
fears  were  really  entertained  by  some  of  them  that 
they  would  not  be  required  to  take  part  in  the  great 
struggle  for  liberty  and  human  rights;  but  in  this 
they  were  disappointed;  they  have  all  been  called, 
and  hundreds  of  thousands  of  others.  Many  now  lie 
in  the  c6ld  arms  of  death ;  they  fill  a  soldier's  grave 
on  some  battle  field,  or  in  a  hospital  graveyard. 

The  conflict  still  rages  with  a  determination  the 
world  has  never  before  witnessed.  Success  attends  the 
Union  armies  everywhere,  and  with  such  Generals  as 
Grant;  Meade,  Sherman,  Thomas,  Sheridan,  and  others, 
to  lead  our  gallant  soldiers  in  the  field,  there  can  be 
no  such  word  as  fail.  The  cause  in  which  we  fight 
is  just,  and  when  in  the  providence  of  God,  the  rebel 
hosts  shall  be  dispersed,  peace  will  come  again,  crowned 


192  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AN 


with  liberty  to  the  captive,  who  has  been  so  long  in 
bondage,  and  ruled  by  the  iron  hand  of  despotism, 
which  has  sought  to  perpetuate  the  institution  of 
Slavery  at  the  sacrifice  of  a  Republican  Government. 
The  day  is  breaking  and  the  dark  clouds  which  have 
mantled  our  sky  are  passing  away,  showing  bright 
gleams  of  the  far  away  blue. 

An  overwhelming  majority  of  the  votes  of  a  free 
people  will  soon  declare  that  the  Union  candidate  for 
the  Presidency,  Abraham  Lincoln,  who  has  a  solemn 
oath  registered  in  Heaven  to  preserve  and  defend  the 
Constitution,  is  their  chosen  pilot  to  conduct  the  ship 
of  State  through  the  storms  which  have  threatened  to 
destroy  her. 

The  re-election  of  President  Lincoln  and  the  defeat 
of  General  George  B.  McClellan  will  save  our  country 
from  everlasting  disgrace,  thereby  rebuking  the  Chicago 
Convention,  that  nest  of  traitors  who  were  willing  to 
barter  the  liberties  of  twenty  millions  of  freemen  for 
the  votes  of  a  few  Southern  slaveholders,  also  bringing 
into  contempt  our  grand  army  of  patriots,  who  are 
struggling  for  Constitutional  freedom  against  tyranny, 
that  bitter  foe  to  free  institutions  and  humanity. 

The  day  of  jubilee  is  near  at  hand.  The  signs  of 
the  times  plainly  indicate  that  the  rebellion  is  near  its 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  193 

end.  Its  leaders  see  there  is  no  hope  for  the  Confede 
racy.  They  are  quarelling  among  themselves,  and  will 
soon  be  ready  to  make  the  best  terms  possible  to  save 
their  necks  from  the  halter,  which  is  now  being  made 
from  a  plant  growing  on  their  own  soil.  The  only  fear 
I  now  have  is,  that  they  may  escape  just  punishment 
through  the  magnanimity  of  the  best  Government  the 
world  has  ever  known. 

The  occupation  of  peace  men  and  peace  newspapers 
is  gone.  Peace  is  coming  from  a  different  direction 
than  that  indicated  by  the  prophecies  of  the  peace 
patriots.  It  is  coming  as  the  legitimate  end  of  a  suc 
cessful  war,  not  as  the  unhappy  result  of  disgraceful 
compromise.  It  is  coming  with  the  glorious  old  flag, 
not  with  the  white  rag  of  submission  to  the  South,  or 
the  Stars  and  Bars  of  Southern  independence.  Soon 
will  be  heard  the  booming  of  cannon,  ringing  of  berls, 
and  the  huzzahs  of  the  people,  in  one  continous  echo 
all  through  the  land,  from  the  St.  John  river  to  the 
Rio  Grande,  from  the  rolling  billows  of  the  Atlantic 
to  the  quiet  and  peaceful  waters  of  the  Pacific,  rejoicing 
for  the  preservation  of  our  glorious  Union  and  the 
triumph  of  our  dear  old  flag. 

"Long  may  it  wave, 

O'er  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave." 
17 


194  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

The  following  letters  were  written  from  the  army  to 
a  friend  North,  and  it  is  thought  may  prove  interest 
ing  to  those  readers  who  have  gone  with  us  through 
our  Random  Sketches  and  Wandering  Thoughts : 


CAMP  EIGHTY-FIRST  REGIMENT,  N.  Y.  VOLS.,  } 
YORKTOWN,  VA.,  September  23,  1862.      ) 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND — You  will  see  by  the  above,  our 
location  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  After  the  retreat 
from  Harrison's  Landing,  our  brigade  was  sent  here 
to  defend  this  place.  The  Army  of  the  Potomac  has 
had  some  hard  fighting,  and  been  unfortunate  in  many 
respects,  still  I  have  not  lost  confidence  in  its  leader, 
"  Little  Mac."  Croakers  at  home  and  abroad,  as  well 
as  the  weak  kneed  and  feeble,  are  often  discouraged, 
even  in  the  brightest  hour. 

I  supppose  many  were  frightened  when  they  heard 
the  rebels  had  crossed  into  Maryland.  I  wished  they 
had  went  on  to  New  York;  it  would  be  just  the  place 
to  have  them.  I  think  it  would  awaken  the  North  to 
a  sense  of  their  duty,  for  they  would  then  realize  what 
war  really  is. 

Many  of  the  rebels  will  never  see  Richmond  again. 
We,  of  course,  must  expect  to  lose  many  a  brave  fel 
low,  but  that,  you  know,  is  the  fortune  of  war.  I  hope 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  195 

our  depleted  ranks  will  soon  be  filled  up,  and  that 
the  fight  will  continue  until  the  surrender  of  the  rebel 
Capital.  I  think  we  can  stand  the  loss  of  men  better 
than  they.  Constant  fighting  will  conquer  them,  and 
finish  up  the  rebellion.  , 

I  have  great  faith  in  the  Government  putting  down 
this  rebellion.  As  sure  as  the  sun  shines  in  the  east,  so 
sure  will  this  Union  be  saved,  and  her  free  Constitu 
tion  left  unimpaired.  These  croakers  at  the  North  are 
nothing  more  than  Squaw  men,  who  would  abandon 
their  homes  and  families,  through  fear,  or  surrender 
the  Government  into  the  hands  of  traitors,  and  become 
the  subjects  of  a  Despotism. 

For  one,  I  am  satisfied  to  deprive  myself  of  the 
comforts  of  home  fer  the  good  of  my  country,  and  the 
future  advancement  of  the  human  race;  and  they  who 
are  not  willing  to  sacrifice  anything  to  preserve  the 
heritage  bequeathed  to  them  by  their  fathers  are  not 
worthy  the  name  of  American  citizens. 

Thoughts  of  home  often  come  to  the  soldier  in  camp, 
with  a  thousand  pleasant  memories.  He  often  thinks 
of  the  loved  ones  he  has  left  behind,  and  may  perhaps 
never  again  hear  their  pleasant  voices,  or  see  their 
smiling  faces;  but  these  feelings  are  not  to  be  indulged 
in  by  the  soldier,  for  his  duties  will  not  permit  it;  such 


196  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

thoughts  almost  unfit  him  for  the  duties  devolving  on 
him;  he  must  drive  them  from  his  mind.  I  find  a 
good  antidote  for  this  in  the  saddle.  Each  day  I  take 
a  ride  through  the  country;  my  horse,  "Jim/7  works 
well  under  th^  saddle,  and  has  been  much  company  to 
me  since  I  left  home;  I  hardly  know  how  I  should 
while  away  the  monotony  of  the  camp  without  him. 

President  Lincoln's  proclamation  has  been  issued, 
freeing  all  negroes  in  the  States  which  may  be  in  rebel 
lion  on  the  first  of  January  next.  It  creates  quite  a  stir 
in  our  camp  among  the  officers  and  men.  Some  are 
rejoicing  over  it,  while  others  are  threatening  to  aban 
don  the  service,  declaring  that  they  came  to  fight  for 
the  Union  and  to  maintain  the  Constitution.  They 
regard  the  President's  policy  as  a  direct  infringement 
of  it.  I  think  the  "second  sober  thought"  will  show 
them  that  it  will  deal  the  death  blow  to  the  rebellion, 
and  without  it  we '  cannot  succeed  in  the  work  we  have 
undertaken.  To -turn  the  negro  against  them  will  be 
an  element  of  great  strength ;  fighting  them,  as  it  were, 
with  their  own  weapons. 

Our  accomodations  in  camp  are  poor.  We  have 
old  shelter  tents,  which  will  hardly  keep  the  dew  off.  A 
tin  cup  and  plate,  a  pocket  knife  and  fork,  a  rough 
table,  and  a  cracker  box  for  a  stool,  constitute  my 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  197 

dining  room  and  kitchen  furniture.  Vegetables  are 
very  scarce  here,  and  we  have  but  little  to  eat,  except 
pork,  beef  and  hard  tack.  "We  have  much  sickness 
among  our  troops,  which  I  think  is  owing  to  the  want 
of  proper  food  and  good  water. 

Yorktown  seems  to  me  to  be  a  very  unhealthy  place, 
although  it  is  situated  high  above  the  river,  and  has 
many  ravines  for  drainage.  The  oldest  inhabitants 
here  seem  to  be  subject  to  fever  at  certain  seasons 
of  the  year 

I  am  quite  well,  hoping  to  continue  so,  but  I  fear 
the  accommodations  of  the  camp  will  not  agree  with 
me.  Write  me  soon,  without  fail,  and  believe  me, 

Yours  truly,  B.  S.  D.  F. 

To  J.  8.  R.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


CAMP  EIGHTY-FIRST  REGIMENT,  N.  Y.  VOLS.,  } 
ST.  HELENA  ISLAND,  S.  C.,  March  24,  1863      ) 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND — To-day  is  rainy,  and  every 
thing  is  dull  in  camp,  and  it  seems  lonely  and  dreary, 
so  I  thought  I  would  devote  a  few  moments  to  you, 
informing  you  how  things  are  down  here  in  Dixie. 
Here  I  sit  in  my  canvas  house,  all  alone,  with  my 


198  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

great  coat  on,  and  feeling  as  cold  as  though  it  were  a 
December  day;  still  we  have  had  weather  here  lately 
when  the  thermometer  would  mark  ninety-eight  in  the 
shade,  so  great  is  the  change. 

While  I  am  writing,  the  rain  is  pouring  down  in 
torrents,  showing  no  mercy  to  the  poor  sentinel  with 
out,  as  he  treads  up  and  down  his  lonely  beat.  Very 
lucky  for  me  that  I  have  a  good  tent,  with  a  fly  over 
it,  or  I  should  get  soaked  through  to  the  skin.  Such 
days  as  these  make  me  feel  lonesome;  but  when  the 
sunshine  comes  again  I  shall  be  happy,  that  is,  as 
happy  as  we  can  be  in  the  camp  with  army  rations. 

In  these  dreary  hours  the  heart  often  flies  back  to 
its  home,  and  the  loved  ones  there.  And  how  little 
those  at  home  know  the  mysterious  feelings  that  pass 
like  a  cloud  over  us;  yet,  in  the  silent  hours  of  the 
night  they  come,  and  in  the  busy  bustle  of  camp  life, 
or  in  the  silent  retreats  of  solitude,  overshadowing  all 
the  bright  hopes  and  sunny  feelings  of  the  heart. 

Who  can  describe,  and  who  has  not  felt  the  bewil 
dering  influence  of  the  heart;  and  still  it  is  a  delicious 
sorrow,  and  is  like  a  cloud  dimming  the  sunshine  of 
the  river,  and  causing  a  momentary  shade  of  gloom  to 
enhance  the  beauty  of  returning  brightness,  and  fit  us 
once  more  for  the  battle  of  life. 


THOUGHTS.  199 

War  is  a  terrible  thing,  and  a  civil  war  more  than 
any  other.  How  many  hearts  have  been  draped  in 
mourning;  and  how  many  widowed  tears  have  fallen 
for  the  loved  ones  slain  ?  It  really  makes  me  feel  sad 
when  I  think  of  it;  and  still  it  may  all  end  for  good. 

I  sincerely  believe  our  cause  is  just  and  right,  and 
he  that  is  armed  in  a  righteous  cause  is  doubly  armed. 
Although  we  endure  hardships  and  privations,  I  still 
feel  that  the  sacrifice  is  but  small  when  compared  with 
the  blessings  we  shall  achieve,  for  ourselves  and  our 
children,  in  maintaining  and  upholding  the  Union  and 
the  Constitution  made  by  our .  fathers.  God  grant  that 
we  may  never  see  them  destroyed.  Croakers  at  home 
may  cry  for  peace,  and  discourage  the  weak ;  but  I  tell 
you  that  there  can  be  no  peace  as  long  as  there  is  a 
traitor  in  arms;  and  the  Union  army  to-day  fear  the 
traitors  and  Copperheads  at  home  more  than  Jeff  Davis 
and  his  legions  here.  Only  let  there  be  a  healthy  sen 
timent  at  home,  for  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war, 
and  I  will  guarantee  that  ninety  days  will  finish  up 
the  rebellion.  You  may  think  I  am  sanguine  on  this 
subject,  but  I  speak  from  what  I  have  seen  and  what  I 
know.  You  know  that  the  aid  which  the  Northern 
dough-faces  have  given  to  the  rebels  is  tremendous,  and 
I  assure  you  that  if  we  are  defeated  in  putting  down 


200  EANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

the  rebellion,  the  curse  is  on  them,  and  not  the  Union 
army,  for  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Union  army  are 
loyal.  There  may  be  a  few  traitors  among  the  leaders, 
but  they  are  pretty  well  sifted,  and  the  army  to-day  are 
more  united,  and  in  better  spirits,  than  they  were  a 
year  ago. 

We  soon  expect  to  make  an  attack  on  Charleston, 
and  feel  sanguine  of  success.  A  simultaneous  attack 
by  the  army  and  navy  will,  I  think,  make  that  strong 
hold  of  rebellion  tremble.  We  may  be  defeated  at 
first,  but  it  must  eventually  fall.  Oh,  what  a  glorious 
day  that  will  be !  To  see  the  Stars  and  Stripes  floating 
over  the  ramparts  of  Fort  Sumter.  Here  and  at  Vicks- 
burg  will  be  the  death  struggle  of  the  rebellion.  If  we 
are  successful  in  the  capture  of  those  two  strongholds, 
Davis  &  Co.  will  soon  pack  up  their  traps  and  leave. 

This  evening  I  received  a  letter  from  California;  it 
was  from  my  brother,  who  wrote  me  he  had  enlisted 
in  a  battalion  of  cavalry,  which  is  to  be  sent  North, 
and  attached  to  the  Second  Massachusetts.  I  have 
not  seen  him  in  over  nine  years.  There  are  now  five 
brothers  of  us  in  the  service,  which  makes  a  very  good 
representation  for  one  family.  I  think  if  we  all  come 
out  of  this  struggle  alive,  we  will  be  fortunate;  but 
this  is  more  than  can  be  expected. 


WANDEKING  THOUGHTS.  201 

Our  Colonel  is  in  command  of  our  brigade,  Acting 
Brigadier  General.  The  brigade  is  composed  of  the 
Eighty-First  New  York,  Twenty-Third  Massachusetts, 
Ninety-Eighth  New  York,  and  Ninth  New  Jersey, 
making  a  very  fine  brigade,  and  we  expect  to  do  some 
thing  big  in  the  next  fight. 

We  are  within  fifteen  miles  of  Savannah,  and  fifty 
of  Charleston.  We  can  hear  the  guns  of  Fort  Pulaski, 
which  is  garrisoned  by  a  New  York  regiment.  I  think 
of  taking  a  trip  down  there  in  a  few  days,  to  see  the 
fort  and  its  surroundings. 

Our  regiment  was  never  in  better  health.  Remem 
ber  me  to  all  my  friends.  Write  me  on  the  receipt  of 
this  and  I  will  keep  you  posted  hereafter. 

Yours  truly,  B.  S.  D.  F. 

To  J.  8.  R.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


CAMP  EIGHTY-FIRST  REGIMENT,  N.  Y.  YOLS.,  J 
MOREHEAD  CITY,  N.  C.,  June  21,  1863      ) 

MY  DEAR  FEIEND — I  have  answered  yours  of 
April  27th  and  have  received  none  in  reply.  To-day 
the  Colonel  handed  me  a  letter  he  received  from  you, 
which  was  sent  by  our  Chaplain,  in  which  you  state 


202  KANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

I  had  not  answered  your  last.  I  have  received  two 
letters  from  you,  both  of  which  I  answered  promptly ; 
your  last  may  not  have  reached  me;  therefore  I  will 
while  away  a  few  minutes  informing  you  how  things 
are  progressing  down  in  old  North  Carolina. 

This  is  the  very  heart  of  Dixie,  both  as  to  negroes 
and  poverty.  This  portion  of  the  State  can  never  be 
any  more  than  it  is,  on  account  of  the  poorness  of  the 
soil  and  shallowness  of  its  waters.  For  fifty  miles 
back  from  the  sea  shore  it  is  all  white  sand,  washed 
up  from  the  ocean,  and  after  a  time  it  has  produced 
shrubs  and  yellow  pine,  and  these  pine  trees  have 
afforded  a  living  for  the  inhabitants,  for  the  past  fifty 
years,  in  manufacturing  tar  and  turpentine.  The  trees 
are  dying  off  and  when  they  are  gone  the  soil  will  be 
of  little  value ;  therefore,  this  part  of  the  country  can 
never  be  much. 

The  interior  of  the  State,  no  doubt,  is  the  granary 
from  which  the  people  of  this  locality  are  fed,  for  the 
country  around  us  here  cannot  produce  enough  to  sus 
tain  life ;  it  is  not  in  the  soil  to  do  it.  Meadows  and 
pasturage,  which  is  so  common  with  us  at  home,  are 
not  known  here. 

We  are  busy  fortifying  ourselves  at  this  place,  to 
prevent  rebel  raids  down  here.  We  are  building  a 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  203 

fort,  on  which  will  be  mounted  six  guns,  and  a  chain 
of  rifle  pits  on  either  side  of  the  fort,  running  to  Bogue 
Sound  and  Calico  creek.  Those  earthworks  are  of 
large  dimensions,  and  I  think  will  be  capable,  with  the 
Eighty-First  behind  them,  of  resisting  an  attack  of 
vastly  superior  numbers.  We  are  here  alone  to  guard 
Fort  Macon,  Beaufort,  and  this  place,  and  I  under 
stand  we  are  to  be  left  here.  Garrison  duty  is  rather 
monotonous,  not  quite  so  much  excitement  as  to  be  on 
the  march,  chasing  an  enemy,  but,  nevertheless,  I  think 
we  have  traveled  around  enough,  and  we  should  be 
satisfied,  especially  where  we  have  the  cool,  refresh 
ing  sea  breeze  from  the  ocean  to  cool  our  heated  blood, 
caused  by  the  Southern  sun. 

We  are  having  an  awful  thunder  storm  this  after 
noon;  the  rain  is  pouring  down  in  torrents,  and  the 
wind  blowing  a  tremendous  gale,  with  thunder  and 
lightning.  A  few  days  since  I  received  a  severe  shock 
in  my  right  arm,  which  I  felt  for  some  hours  after 
ward  ;  this  is  rather  close  quarters. 

You,  no  doubt,  as  a  loyal  citizen  of  this  glorious 
Republic,^  would  like  to  know  what  this  Department  is 
doing  toward  crushing  the  rebellion.  Well,  I  would 
say,  we  are  at  present  acting  on  the  defensive,  trying 
to  hold  what  we  have  got. 


204  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

Many  of  the  troops  in  this  Department  are  nine 
months  men,  from  Massachusetts,  whose  term  of  ser 
vice  is  about  to  expire;  therefore,  we  cannot  advance 
much  at  present.  But  we  are  enrolling  every  white 
male  citizen  within  our  lines,  and  all  negroes  that  come 
in,  or  are  already  in;  they  will  form  quite  an  army. 

I  cannot  agree  with  some  of  my  friends  on  this 
negro  question.  I  do  not  believe  that  the  negro  is  any 
better  to  face  the  enemy's  bullet  than  a  white  mail*  nor 
do  I  fear  they  will  be  treated  any  worse  than  a  white 
soldier,  if  the  Government  does  its  duty,  which  it  must, 
at  any  sacrifice  of  rebel  life.  The  negroes  are  willing 
to  take  up  arms  and  fight  under  the  old  Stars  and 
Stripes,  with  the  prospect  of  their  freedom,  if  we  will 
protect  them  as  soldiers;  and  if  we  use  them  as  soldiers 
we  must  protect  them  as  such,  and  if  any  of  them  are 
captured  and  hung  by  these  slave  traders,  I  say,  take 
the  same  number,  of  equal  rank,  and  hang  them  as 
you  would  a  murderer.  Let  this  once  be  understood, 
and  we  can  enlist  one  hundred  thousand  negroes  in 
the  service  of  the  United  States.  They  will  make 
good  soldiers;  I  have  seen  many  of  them,  and  they 
compare  well  with  the  whites,  as  to  drill  and  soldierly 
appearance,  and  they  have  the  love  of  liberty  planted 
as  deep  in  their  bosoms  as  most  white  men,  and  more 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  205 

than  the  white  men  of  the  South.  And  more  than 
this,  he  should  be  recognized  as  equal  with  the  white 
soldier,  when  they  are  engaged  in  one  common  cause. 
But  when  he  lays  off  the  blue  jacket,  he  is  a  negro 
still,  and  should  be  treated  as  God  designed  he  should 
be,  as  an  inferior,  with  kindness  and  sympathy,  but 
not  as  an  equal,  in  a  social  point  of  view.  These  are 
my  sentiments. 

We  have  received  papers  of  the  18th,  by  which  I 
learn  that  the  Rebs  are  in  Pennsylvania.  I  hope  they 
will  reach  some  of  the  Copperheads,  and  make  them 
feel  the  sore  effects  of  invasion,  and  bring  them  to  a 
sense  of  their  duty.  These  vagabonds  have  prolonged 
this  war  by  their  peace  doctrine ;  and  now  the  rebels 
are  invading  Northern  soil.  This  is  the  result  of  their 
infamous  scheme  for  a  dishonorable  peace.  I  wish  we 
could  have  every  mother's  son  down  here.  I  think 
we  could  taj^e  the  peace  out  of  them  in  three  months, 
by  making  them  do  picket  duty  in  the  rivers  and 
swamps  of  North  Carolina,  among  the  fleas  and  mos 
quitoes,  under  a  burning  sun. 

Such  men  will  be  eternally  cursed,  for  all  time,  by 
the  soldiers  of  the  Union  army.  I  think  if  Vallandig- 
ham  had  been  turned  over  to  the  soldiers,  for  punish 
ment,  he  would  have  received  his  just  deserts.  He 

18 


206  KAXDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

would  have  been  on  his  way  to  glory  by  this  time. 
God  is  just,  and  will  take  him  in  his  own  good  time. 
Be  patient  and  firm. 

Yours  truly,  B.  S.  D.  F. 

To  J.  S.  R.  Albany,  N.  Y. 


EIGHTY-FIRST  REGIMENT,  N.  Y.  VOLS.,  J 
FORT  MACON,  N.  C.,  August  14,  1863.      ) 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND — Your  kind  letter  was  received 
in  due  time,  but  I  have  not  been  able  to  answer  it  until 
now,  owing  to  the  multiplicity  of  business — going  on 
raids  and  making  out  monthly  returns,  &c. 

The  Colonel  received  your  letter  last  night,  and  in 
it  you  speak  of  my  owing  you  a  letter,  which  prompted 
me  to  a  little  extra  exertion,  and  as  I  have  just  put  my 
wife  on  board  the  steamer  Guide,  bound  for  home,  I 
shall  be  more  prompt  to  answer  my  friend^  who  think 
well  enough  to  write  to  me. 

Our  last  raid  was  on  the  Chowan  river.  We  left 
our  camp  at  night,  and  took  the  cars  for  Newbern; 
there  we  got  on  board  steamers,  went  down  the  Neuse 
river,  through  Pamlico  Sound,  into  Albemarle  Sound, 
and  thence  up  the  Chowan  river  about  sixty  miles,  to 
a  place  called  Winton.  We  landed  so  quietly  that  the 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  207 

inhabitants  were  taken  by  surprise.  The  infantry,  who 
numbered  about  two  thousand,  disembarked  first.  "We 
then  drew  the  artillery  up  by  hand,  not  having  any 
horses  for  them.  The  next  move  was  to  capture  some 
horses,  which  was  soon  done,  and  on  we  went  some  five 
miles  back  in  the  country,  the  inhabitants  fleeing  to 
the  woods.  We  had  a  few  negro  soldiers  with  us, 
who  went  out  in  advance,  yelling  like  so  many  Indians, 
and  firing  in  the  air,  which  made  the  inhabitants  believe 
it  was  a  negro  insurrection,  which  they  dread  more 
than  anything  else. 

The  houses  that  were  found  vacant  had  to  suffer,  as 
they  were  supposed  to  be  owned  by  rebels.  I  captured 
a  sabre  and  belt,  the  owner  of  which  had  just  time  to 
leave  before  we  arrived.  At  another  place  we  found,  an 
immense  quantity  of  corn  stored,  which  was  designed 
for  the  Confederate  service.  We  also  found  a  large 
quantity  of  cotton  and  fodder,  horses,  negroes,  &c., 
which  were  all  taken.  I  found  a  fine  young  horse, 
whose  master  had  abandoned  him  in  his  flight. 

About  three  miles  out  we  found  a  rebel  camp,  sur 
rounded  with  rifle  pits.  They  fired  two  volleys  on  our 
men,  who  made  a  charge  and  drove  them  out,  and  took 
possession  of  the  camp  and  equipments ;  they  left  every 
thing,  even  their  guns.  The  same  night  we  passed 


208  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AXD 

over  the  river  about  two  thousand  cavalry,  who  carae 
from  Suffolk  to  meet  us.  The  next  day  they  went 
within  ten  miles  of  Weldon,  scouring  the  country,  and 
had  a  little  fight  at  Jackson,  after  which  they  returned 
with  some  two  hundred  horses  and  seventy  prisoners. 
The  cavalry  again  crossed  the  river  and  returned  to 
Suffolk,  and  we  returned  to  Newbern,  with  a  load  of 
cotton,  two  loads  of  negroes,  and  about  three  hundred 
horses.  We  were  gone  eight  days,  and  came  very  near 
starving,  as  there  was  not  much  to  eat  in  that  vicinity. 
We  lived  most  of  the  time  on  raw  pork  and  hard  tack. 
This  was  one  of  the  tightest  times  we  have  seen  in  the 
service.  The  raids  sharpen  the  appetite  and  make  one 
tired,  especially  in  hot  weather. 

I  tell  you  in  all  truth,  the  rebels  are  hard  up.  We 
found  them  with  but  very  little  to  eat,  and  such  tilings 
as  are  common  to  us  are  almost  impossible  for  them  to 
get;  for  instance,  coffee  is  $4  *$  ft).,  flour  $50  ^  barrel, 
common  army  shoes  $25  ^  pair,  a  common  straw  hat 
§5,  sugar  $2  ^  ft).  This  is  so,  for  I  have  it  from  their 
own  lips,  and  they  all  admit  that  the  Confederacy  lias 
gone  in.  You  can  tell  that  by  the  cries  of  Jeff  Davis 
in  his  last  appeal  to  the  Southern  people. 

Now  for  Charleston.  Let  the  Government  reinforce 
General  Gilmore  with  white  and  black  soldiers.  Those 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  209 

who  know  what  they  are  fighting  for,  those  who  have 
been  on  many  a  hard  fought  battle  field,  and  those  who 
have  felt  the  master's  lash,  are  the  ones  to  level  that 
stronghold;  men  who  prize  liberty  and  freedom  above 
their  lives,  not  conscripts,  that  are  bought  up  in  the 
market  like  so  many  sheep,  and  sent  to  be  the  com 
panions  of  brave  men,  who  have  endured  the  heat  and 
burden  of  the  struggle. 

To  take  Charleston  requires  steady  and  undaunted 
courage,  and  before  it  is  done  our  soldiers  must  wade 
through  rivers  of  blood.  This  is  no  small  undertaking, 
it  will  be  a  second  Yicksburg,  and,  as  I  wrote  you  last 
spring,  the  taking  of  these  two  places  will  bring  on  the 
final  death  struggle  of  the  rebellion.  The  taking  of 
Charleston  will  give  us  Savannah  and  Wilmington, 
then  what  will  Richmond  be  worth? 

Our  recent  victories  have  darkened  the  hopes  of  the 
Confederacy.  The  sky  is  dark  for  them,  with  hardly 
one  cloud  that  shows  a  silver  lining ;  but  with  us  is  only 
seen  a  speck  here  and  there  on  the  horizon.  God  grant 
it  may  all  soon  be  clear,  and  that  every  soldier  in  the 
army  may  return  to  his  home  and  family,  is  my  earnest 
and  sincere  desire.  I  hope  a  kind  Providence  will 
guide  the  destinies  of  our  armies  in  the  field  so  that 

every  encounter  may  be  a  success  to  the  Union  cause, 
*18 


210  KANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

until  not  a  ray  of  hope  is  left  to  inspire  the  rebels  in 
their  wicked  course.  My  prayer  would  be  this  even 
for  the  sake  of  humanity,  if  nothing  else. 

This  war  is  a  terrible  thing;  no  man  knows  so  well 
as  he  who  participates  in  it.  Think  of  the  battle  field 
and  hospital  where  thousands  lie  buried  and  wounded, 
then  go  back  to  the  homes  of  these  soldiers  and  see  the 
misery  there;  the  widowed  wife  and  orphan  children. 
I  tell  you  it  will  not  do  to  reflect  upon.  If  I  should 
allow  my  mind  and  sympathies  to  dwell  on  such  things 
I  should  go  mad,  and  every  bugle  note  to  war  sounded 
would  weaken  my  courage  and  unfit  me  for  the  sacri 
fice.  This  is  no  imagination,  but  a  reality,  and  such 
feelings  as  these  I  find  with  our  bravest  soldiers,  the 
most  daring  are  also  the  most  tender  hearted. 

What  will  become  of  our  weak-kneed  friends,  the 
Copperheads,  who  will  neither  go  themselves  nor  let 
others  go?  their  destiny  is  written  as  visibly  to  my 
mind  as  the  handwriting  on  the  wall  was  to  the  old 
King  at  his  feast. 

'  Yours  truly,  B.  S.  D.  F. 

To  J.  S.  E.  Albany,  N.  Y. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  211 

CAMP  EIGHTY-FIRST  REGIMENT,  N.  Y.  VOLS.,  j 
NEWPORT  NEWS,  YA.,  November  17,  1863      ) 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND — Your  letter  of  the  9th  came 
in  due  time,  and  as  I  am  disappointed  this  morning  in 
taking  a  ride  to  Warwick,  on  account  of  the  blustering 
wind,  so  I  will  devote  a  short  time  in  writing  to  you. 
Yesterday  we  had  a  review  of  our  Brigade,  which  is 
composed  of  the  Eighty-First  New  York  Volunteer 
Infantry,  Ninety-Eighth  New  York,  Twenty-Seventh 
Massachusetts,  Twenty-Fifth  Massachusetts,  Ninth  New 
Jersey,  Twenty-Third  Massachusetts,  with  the  Third 
New  York  Cavalry,  one  battery  of  Third  Khode  Island 
Artillery,  and  a  battery  of  the  Third  New  York  Artil 
lery,  making  one  of  the  finest  brigades  in  the  service. 
We  are  expecting  to  be  ordered  to  the  Potomac  or 
Tennessee;  however,  this  is  mere  surmise.  In  war 
time,  you  know,  things  are  very  uncertain,  and  the 
soldier  has  no  choice  as  to  where  he  is  sent. 

My  own  greatest  desire  is  to  have  this  rebellion  put 
down,  and  return  to  old  Albany,  to  enjoy  once  more  the 
comforts  of  home  life,  for  it  is  a  great  privation  to  be 
separated  from  society  and  the  family.  I  often  think 
of  those  pleasures  and  comforts  which  you  are  enjoying, 
while  we  poor  fellows'  are  trying  to  keep  warm  by  a 


212  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

little  fire  in  a  canvas  house,  which  is  nothing  more 
than  a  windbreak  against  the  storm  without.  I  think 
I  shall  never  become  accustomed  to  field  life,  and  still 
I  can  stand  it  quite  as  well  as  the  best  of  them.  I  see 
plainly  that  it  tells  on  my  constitution ;  the  gray  hairs 
begin  to  come. 

Last  Saturday  I  went  over  to  Norfolk  to  spend  the 
night.  It  was  the  first  time  in  nine  months  that  I  had 
slept  in  a  house.  I  had  a  good  room  and  bed,  but  I 
caught  cold  in  sleeping  in  such  apartments.  I  could 
have  taken  a  blanket  and  laid  out  all  night,  and  felt 
better  in  the  morning;  this  is  the  case  with  most  of  the 
soldiers;  when  they  once  become  accustomed  to  living 
in  tents,  house  accommodation  unfits  them  for  service. 

It  was  really  laughable  to  see  the  seedy  gentlemen 
around  the  bar  room;  the  so  termed  F.  F.  Vs.  Their 
coats  were  threadbare,  and  their  hats  were  of  a  style 
worn  at  least  ten  years  ago.  Many  of  them  wear  the 
large,  old  fashioned  collars,  and  swallow  tailed  coats. 
The  hat,  coat  and  collar  made  them  look  like  "  Dandy 
Jim  from  Caroline."  No  doubt  they  are  the  old  clothes 
they  cast  oflP,  when  negroes  sold  more  freely  than  at 
present,  in  the  South.  This  place  was  once  a  great 
negro  market.  Poor  old  Virginia!  how  she  has  fallen 
from  her  high  estate;  her  villages  burned,  her  fields 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  213 

laid  waste,  and  the  blood  of  martyred  brothers  crying 
unto  her  from  the  ground.  The  day  of  retribution  is  at 
hand  when  her  traitor  sons  will  have  to  repent  in  sack 
cloth  and  ashes,  or  flee  to  the  mountains  for  refuge,  and 
call  upon  the  rocks  to  hide  them. 

The  news  which  reached  us  after  election  was  glo 
rious,  and  cheered  every  soldier's  heart.  We  feel  that 
our  friends  at  home  prize  the  sacrifice  we  are  making. 
It  gives  us  new  life  and  faith  that  the  North  is  loyal, 
and  will  stand  by  us  through  this  conflict.  You  say 
the  Union  ticket  is  elected  by  30,000  majority.  That 
is  glorious,  but  if  the  soldiers  could  have  voted  you 
would  have  seen  100,000  majority.  Copperheadism 
is  dead,  and  I  hope  it  will  be  buried  so  deep  that  it 
will  never  know  a  resurrection. 

We  must  stand  by  our  country  and  sustain  our 
Government.  Do  not  let  us  falter  or  step  back.  Our 

radiant  flag  must  be  kept  untorn,  and  floating  to  the 

x^ 
breeze.      Let  not  one  star  be  stricken  from  its  azure 

field,  nor  one  memory  lost  of  its  glorious  history.  The 
cause  of  humanity  and  the  hopes  of  freedom  through 
out  the  world  are  involved  in  this  deathlike  struggle 
for  our  nation's  life.  Let  not  our  hearts  grow  cold  or 
sympathies  die  out,  for  there  is  much  earnest  work  to 
do.  Let  not  patriotism  be  exchanged  for  gold  or  bar- 


214  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

tered  for  an  inglorious  peace,  which  mealy  mouthed 
traitors  are  now  trying  to  do.  I  hope  the  heads  of 
Government  will  stand  firm,  and  not  be  seduced  by 
their  wiles. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  that  your  business  is  good,  and 
that  old  Albany  is  going  along  in  the  way  of  improve 
ment.  It  is  doing  finely  in  the  way  of  horse  railroads; 
keep  her  going. 

I  wish  you  would  visit  us.  I  think  it  would  pay 
you  to  come  to  Old  Point  Comfort.  If  you  can  I  will 
furnish  you  with  a  blanket  and  a  soft  board  to  lay  on. 
Your  bones  may  feel  sore  for  the  first  few  days,  but 
you  will  soon  get  used  to  it.  We  will  give  you  hard 
tack  and  raw  pork  for  a  hasty  dinner,  and  coffee  with 
out  milk.  You  must  not  be  negligent  in  writing;  you 
see  I  am  prompt. 

Yours  truly,  B.  S.  D.  F. 

To  J.  S.  R.  Albany,  N.  Y. 


CAMP  EIGHTY-FIRST  REGIMENT,  N.  Y.  VOLS., 
IN  THE  FIELD  NEAR  PETERSBURG,  May  8,  1864 


<S.,) 


MY  DEAR  FRIEND — You  will  see  by  this  that  pen 
and  ink  is  "played  out/'  and  Fourth  of  July  soldiering 
is  at  an  end  for  this  campaign. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  215 

We  left  Yorktown  on  the  4th  of  May,  with  about 
thirty-five  thousand  troops,  mostly  veterans,  on  board 
of  transports'  bound  for  some  unknown  point.  We 
sailed  down  to  Hampton  Roads  and  anchored  for  the 
night.  The  next  morning  we  put  up  the  James  river 
and  landed  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  which  is  just  above 
City  Point,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Appomattox  river,  on 
which  Petersburg  is  situated.  The  18th  Army  Corps 
landed  at  this  place,  while  the  10th  Army  Corps  landed 
at  City  Point. 

Our  regiment  has  the  extreme  right  of  the  18th 
Corps,  being  the  First  Brigade  of  the  First  Division. 
We  disembarked  at  dusk,  moved  out  about  a  mile, 
and  bivouaced  in  a  wheat  field.  I  rolled  myself  up  in 
my  blanket,  in  company  with  the  rest  of  the  field  and 
staff  officers,  our  horses  lying  by  our  side,  ready  for  a 
march  at  a  moment's  notice.  The  night  passed  amid 
bustle  and  confusion,  caused  by  the  continual  arrival 
of  troops.  At  daylight  we  were  ordered  off  toward 
Petersburg.  Our  regiment  led  the  advance,  and  took 
a  position  about  six  miles  out,  where  the  bend  of  the 
James  river  makes  the  distance  from  the  Appomattox 
only  three  miles.  Across  this  point  intrenchments  are 
being  made.  We  shall  no  doubt  hold  this  place,  as  a 
base  of  operations,  having  gunboats  in  both  rivers, 


216  RANDOM  SKETCHES  AND 

which  I  believe  will  render  our  position  secure,  in  case 
of  a  heavy  force  being  thrown  upon  us. 

I  joined  our  regiment  the  following  day,  having 
been  left  to  bring  tip  our  baggage,  which  consisted  of 
a  small  valise  for  each  officer.  I  took  the  advance  of 
our  wagon  train,  after  having  loaded  my  horse  with 
nearly  an  hundred  pounds  of  baggage,  and  started 
ahead.  When  about  three  miles  out  I  was  fired  upon 
by  a  bushwhacker,  who  appeared  to  be  concealed  in  the 
woods;  the  ball  passed  me  and  lodged  in  a  tree;  it 
made  the  limbs  rattle.  I  however  proceeded  on  my 
iourney  at  a  slow  pace,  and  reached  our  regiment  in 
safety.  I  have  always  felt  more  danger  in  following 
up  the  regiment  in  this  way,  than  when  directly  with 
it,  as  the  rebels  are  much  given  to  lying  in  ambush  for 
Quartermasters  and  their  supplies. 

This  afternoon,  which  is  Saturday,  fighting  com 
menced  on  our  left.  Three  of  our  brigades  were 
engaged,  and  took  a  high  bluff,  which  commands  the 
railroad  to  Richmond.  Our  boys  made  a  charge  on 
the  rebels,  and  at  first  were  repulsed;  they  rallied  and 
drove  the  rebels,  and  now  hold  the  road,  dnd  have  torn 
up  about  four  miles  of  it.  Beauregard  has  arrived 
at  Petersburg,  with  about  twenty  thousand  men,  from 
the  South,  who  intend  to  obstruct  our  further  advance. 


WANDERING  THOUGHTS.  217 

I  took  my  horse  and  rode  out  to  the  front,  in  com 
pany  with  the  Colonel  and  Adjutant,  and  saw  the 
smoke  ascending,  and  heard  the  heavy  booming  of 
cannon  and  the  rattle  of  musketry,  which  was  within 
half  a  mile  of  us.  General  Butler  and  his  staff  were 
returning  from  the  fight,  and  informed  us  that  all  was 
right,  and  said  we  had  gained  an  important  position. 

Last  night  quiet  reigned  supreme.  Nothing  was 
heard  save  the  measured  tread  of  the  sentinel,  while 
here  and  there  might  be  seen  a  single  soldier  seated  by 
the  expiring  embers  of  a  camp  fire,  thinking,  perhaps, 
of  the  fondly  remembered  pleasures  of  home,  from 
which  he  had  torn  himself  to  save  his  country  from 
impending  dissolution.  How  little  do  those  at  home 
know  the  soldier's  feelings  in  the  dreary  hours  of  night. 
These  are  the  hours  for  reflection. 

The  calm  and  quiet  of  last  night  is  but  a  forerunner 
of  a  storm  which  is  impending.  No  doubt  a  battle 
will  be  fought  to-day ;  both  armies  are  making  vigorous 
preparations.  The  road  is  filled  with  ambulances  going 
to  the  front,  which  is  an  indication  of  warm  work  ahead. 
God  grant  we  may  be  victorious,  and  before  the  com 
memoration  of  our  National  Anniversary  I  trust  we 
will  have  the  pleasure  to  know  that  the  rebel  Capital 

has  fallen,  and  that  the  glorious  armies  of  the  Union 

19 


218  RANDOM  SKETCHES. 

have  captured  the  rebel  host,  including  Jeff  Davis. 
This,  so  far,  has  been  a  successful  expedition.  Not 
less  than  seventy-five  transports  brought  the  troops  up 
here,  without  a  single  accident  occuring.  AVe  came 
very  unexpectedly  on  Johnny  Reb. ;  he  seemed  totally 
unprepared  to  receive  us,  giving  us  a  fine  opportunity 
to  land  all  our  troops. 

I  am  writing  this  on  a  cracker  box,  under  a  burn 
ing  sun,  and  the  roar  of  artillery  is  heard  in  the  dis 
tance.  This  being  my  third  letter  to-day,  I  begin  to 
feel  somewhat  tired.  You  will  excuse  this  hasty  and 
imperfect  sketch,  but  if  you  will  answer  more  promptly 
I  will  hereafter  give  you  a  more  vivid  picture  of  the 
soldier's  life  iu  the  field. 

Yours  truly,  B.  S.  D.  F. 

To  J.  S.  E.  Albany,  N.  Y. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH 


OF  THE 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT, 


(EIGHTY-FIRST  N.  Y.  S.  VOL.  INFANTRY.) 


THE  rebellion,  after  the  battle  of  Bull  Bun,  assumed 
a  most  formidable  shape.  Their  recent  success  had 
given  the  rebels  courage  and  confidence,  and  that  which 
had  at  first  been  blustering  on  their  part  toward  our 
Government  at  Washington,  became  real. 

The  standard  of  treason  was  now  lifted  in  every 
slave  State  of  our  Union,  with  many  sympathizers  at  the 
North,  as  well  as  in  Europe,  where  they  received  every 
encouragement  which  monarchical  governments  dared 
aiford  to  belligerents.  The  great  magnitude  it  was 
assuming  had  not  been  anticipated  by  many  of  our  best 
Statesmen,  and  our  Government  was  but  poorly  pre 
pared  to  combat  it.  The  forces  which  were  already  in 


220  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

the  field  seemed  entirely  inadequate  to  cope  with  the 
rebel  army,  and  we  were  compelled  to  act  on  the  defen 
sive  for  a  time,  much  to  our  mortification. 

The  President,  on  the  recommendation  of  Congress, 
issued  a  call  for  three  hundred  thousand  troops,  and 
a  short  time  after,  a  call  for  three  hundred  thousand 
more,  which  would  make  a  formidable  army  of  six 
hundred  thousand  men,  besides  those  already  in  the 
field,  all  to  serve  for  three  years  or  during  the  war. 

The  response  of  the  North  to  the  call  made  upon  it 
for  soldiers  was  without  parallel  in  the  history  of  the 
world.  Camps  of  instruction  were  formed  in  various 
sections  of  the  country,  and  regiments  organized  and 
drilled  in  every  Congressional  District.  Flags  waved 
from  almost  every  building,  public  and  private.  The 
people  seemed  determined  that  the  disasters  of  Bull 
Run  and  Ball's  Bluff  should  be  avenged,  and  the  tide 
of  success  which  had  from  the  first  set  against  us,  be 
reversed. 

It  was  such  feelings  that  prompted  several  leading 
citizens  of  Oswego  to  make  an  application  to  Major 
General  Morgan,  then  Governor  of  the  State,  for  the 
privilege  to  raise  the  Second  Oswego  Regiment  of 
Infantry,  to  be  quartered  at  Fort  Ontario  until  fitted 
for  the  field,  which  application  was  finally  acceded  to. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  221 

Brigadier  General  John  F.  Rathbone,  then  in  com 
mand  of  the  Depot  of  Volunteers,  at  Albany,  was 
directed  to  send  an  officer  competent  to  take  charge  of 
a  branch  depot,  to  be  established  at  Oswego.  Where 
upon  Major  Jacob  J.  De  Forest,  Inspector  of  the 
Ninth  Brigade,  N.  Y.  S.  M.,  was  directed  to  proceed 
at  once  to  the  above  mentioned  place,  and  when  eight 
companies  of  thirty-two  men  each  should  be  recruited, 
their  services  should  be  accepted  and  rations  furnished 
by  the  State. 

On  the  25th  day  of  August,  1861,  Major  De  Forest 
proceeded  to  the  city  of  Oswego,  and  entered  upon  his 
duties.  After  consultation  with  the  friends  of  the 
enterprise,  it  was  concluded  to  call  a  meeting  of  the 
officers  and  privates  of  the  Forty-Eighth  Regiment 
of  militia,  then  in  existance,  and  ascertain  how  many 
companies  were  willing  to  enlist  for  three  years,  unless 
sooner  discharged. 

After  repeated  meetings  and  consultations  of  officers 
it  was  ascertained  that  not  one  company  of  the  regi 
ment  were  willing  to  embark  in  the  enterprise.  The 
committee  finally  concluded  to  organize  an  entire  new 
regiment,  thinking  that  a  large  proportion  of  the  men 
in  the  Forty-Eighth  Regiment  could  be  induced  to 

enlist  from*  patriotic  motives.     But  in  that  hope  they 

*19 


222  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

were  disappointed,  for  not  more  than  thirty  of  the  regi 
ment  ever  joined  the  ranks  of  the  Eighty-First  New 
York  Volunteers. 

On  the  14th  day  of  September  the  requisite  number 
of  men  had  been  recruited  from  various  sections  of 
the  State,  and  enrolled  themselves,  and  were  divided 
into  eight  companies,  viz :  A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  F,  G,  H, 
and  were  then  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  by  Capt.  D.  B.  McKibbin,  14th  U.  S.  Infantry. 

On  the  1st  of  October,  Company  I  was  organized, 
and  on  the  llth  following,  Company  K  completed  its 
quota,  and  they  were  also  mustered  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States;  after  which  an  election  for  Cap 
tains  and  Lieutenants  took  place  under  General  Orders 
No  73,  Section  7,  Headquarters  State  of  New  York, 
which  resulted  in  the  following  choice : 

Co's,  CAPTAINS.  FIRST  LIEUTENANTS. 

A,  William  C.  Raulston,  Hamilton  Littlefield,  Jr., 

B,  John  McAmbly,  Augustus  G.  Bennett, 

C,  George  \V.  Berriman,  Henry  W.  Greene, 

D,  John  B.  Edwards,  Jr.,  Leverett  C.  Adkins, 

E,  Edward  S.  Cook,  Elias  A.  Fish, 

F,  T.  Dwight  Stowe,  Daniel  C.  Rix, 

G,  Henry  C.  Thompson,  Henry  N.  Hamilton, 
H,  John  B.  Raulston,  John  W.  Oliver, 

I,      Selden  E.  Clark,  AValter  B.  Thorp, 

K,     Joel  Dorman  Steele.         Julius  F.  BiUard. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.      223 

From  November  1st  to  December  20th,  the  regi 
ment  continued  to  increase1  in  number  and  improve  in 
discipline,  except  the  company  commanded  by  Captain 
Clarke.  After  consultation  with  the  friends  of  the  ser 
vice  it  was  decided  to  make  application  to  headquarters 
for  the  privilege  of  consolidating  it  with  other  smaller 
companies,  thereby  making  nine  companies  of  ninety- 
seven  men  each,  which  order  was  granted,  when  the 
following  Second  Lieutenants  were  elected: 

Company  A,  R.  Henry  Eddy. 

Company  B,  Hugh  Anderson,  promoted,  1st  Lt.,  and 

Martin  J.  De  Forest,  elected. 
Company  C,  James  Martin. 
Company  D,  John  D.  Phillips. 
Company  E,  John  T.  De  Forest. 
Company  F,  Henry  Sharpe. 
Company  G,  Rodolphus  D.  S.  Tyler. 
Company  H,  Peter  French. 
Company  K,  Lawrence  J.  Steele. 

Captain  E.  G.  Marshall  then  proceeded  to  muster 
in  the  regiment,  with  the  field  and  staff  officers,  with 
the  exception  of  Colonel  and  Chaplain. 

In  the  re-muster,  Captain  Marshall  mustered  out 
eighty-seven  men  who  had  been  regularly  mustered  by 


224      SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

Captain  McKibbin,  and  furnished  clothing  and  rations, 
many  of  them  for  three  months,  and  some  of  the  very 
best  men  in  the  regiment,  simply  because  the  parents' 
consent  had  not  been  preserved.  In  many  cases  the 
men  had  them,  and  when  they  found  that  Captain 
Marshall  was  taking  that  course,  they  refused  to  pre 
sent  them.  It  was  also  found  that  ninety  men  had 
deserted,  from  time  to  time,  so  that  the  entire  strength 
of  the  regiment,  after  taking  out  the  deserters  and  those 
mustered  out  by  Captain  Marshall,  only  amounted  to 
six  hundred  and  ninety-five  men.  At  this  time  the 
regiment  was  presented  with  two  beautiful  flags  by  the 
citizens  of  Oswego.  The  presentation  speech  was  made 
by  the  late  Hon.  Mr.  Fitzhugh,  who  addressed  the 
soldiers  in  patriotic  terms,  which  was  replied  to  by 
Colonel  Rose,  in  a  few  appropriate  remarks. 

On  the  20th  day  of  December  1861,  the  following 
field  and  staff  officers  were  mustered  in : 

Lieutenant  Colonel — JACOB  J.  DE  FOKEST. 

Major — JOHN  MCAMBLY. 

Surgeon — WILLIAM  H.  RICE. 

Assistant  Surgeon — CARRINGTON  McFARLAND. 

Adjutant — EDWARD  A.  COOKE. 

Quartermaster — ROGER  A.  FRANCIS. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  225 

The  regiment  then  left  for  Albany,  arriving  at  that 
place  the  next  day,  when  it  proceeded  to  the  Barracks, 
where  it  remained  until  ready  for  the  field.  While 
here  it  was  consolidated  into  seven  companies,  the  sur 
plus  officers  being  mustered  out,  four  of  them  against 
their  wishes;  these  were  promised  the  first  vacancies 
that  should  occur,  which  promise  was  faithfully  kept 
by  Governer  Morgan. 

About  the  1st  of  February  the  regiment  received  an 
accession  of  about  three  hundred  and  fifty,  who  had  been 
recruited  in  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  which  was  called 
the  Mohawk  branch  of  the  regiment.  They  were 
formed  into  three  companies,  viz.:  Companies  C,  E, 
and  I,  which  completed  the  organization  of  the  regi 
ment. 

On  the  10th  of  February  the  remainder  of  the  men 
and  officers  were  mustered  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  by  Major  Sitsgrave,  U.  S.  A.,  including 
Edwin  Rose  as  Colonel  and  Rev.  David  McFarland  as 
Chaplain. 

On  the  21st  of  February,  1862,  the  regiment,  num 
bering  ten  hundred  and  forty  men,  including  officers, 
left  the  Barracks,  at  Albany,  for  the  seat  of  war.  As 
they  passed  through  the  streets  they  were  greeted  by 
thousands  who  thronged  the  sidewalks.  From  bal- 


226  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

conies  and  windows  they  were  cheered  by  the  old  and 
young,  which  was  returned  by  the  boys  in  blue  who 
were  in  high  spirits,  and  anxiously  looking  forward  to 
active  service  in  the  field.  Soldiers  are  always  well 
pleased  with  change  of  location  or  duty. 

At  sundown  they  took  the  cars  for  New  York, 
arriving  there  the  next  day.  After  taking  refresh 
ments  at  the  Park  Barracks,  they  were  ordered  to 
Staten  Island,  where  the  regiment  remained  in  bar 
racks  eight  days. 

On  the  5th  of  March  they  were  ordered  to  Washing 
ton,  which  place  they  reached  on  the  7th,  and  on  the 
8th  went  into  camp  for  the  first  time,  on  Colorama 
Heights,  just  beyond  the  city.  At  this  camp  they 
remained  twenty  days.  While  in  this  camp  the  regi 
ment  was  attached  to  the  Third  Brigade,  Brigadier 
General  I.  N.  Palmer,  Casey's  Division,  4th  Corps. 

On  the  28th  of  March  they  marched  to  Alexandria, 
Va.,  seven  miles  from  Washington,  and  bivouaced  near 
the  city  until  the  morning  of  the  30th.  During  this 
time  a  severe  storm  of  rain,  snow  and  sleet  prevailed 
for  fifteen  hours,  to  which  both  officers  and  men  were 
exposed,  without  tents  or  shelter,  the  tents  having  been 
left  standing  at  the  camp  they  had  lately  left,  by  orders 
from  headquarters. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  227 

On  the  morning  of  the  30th  the  regiment  embarked 
on  the  steam  transport  C.  Vanderbilt,  for  Fortress 
Monroe,  which  place  was  reached  on  the  1st  of  April, 
1862;  here  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  concentrated. 
On  that  day  the  regiment  disembarked  and  marched 
seven  miles,  toward  Newport  News,  and  camped  on 
low,  flat  ground,  saturated  with  water,  with  no  chance 
to  drain  it,  or  obtain  water  for  cooking  purposes,  where 
it  remained  fourteen  days,  exposed  to  the  weather, 
which  brought  on  sickness,  and  many  were  sent  to 
the  hospital. 

On  the  15th  of  April,  they  marched  fifteen  miles,  to 
Young's  Mills,  bivouaced,  and  marched  next  morning 
two  miles,  toward  and  near  Warwick  Court  House, 
and  camped,  where  the  regiment  remained  five  days, 
still  without  shelter,  except  such  as  could  be  made 
from  trees  and  fence  rails,  and  scarcely  able  to  find  a 
spot  dry  enough  to  lay  upon. 

*  On  the  21st  they  marched  four  miles  and  camped 
in  front  of  the  enemy's  works  at  Lee's  Mills,  and  upon 
low  ground,  very  wet,  with  no  drainage,  nor  good 
water,  where  they  remained  thirteen  days.  While  in 
this  camp  shelter  tents  were  issued  to  the  men,  the  first 
protection  from  rains  they  had  enjoyed  since  they  left 
Washington.  This  was  a  great  oversight  on  the  part 


228  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

of  the  Government,  and  was  one  of  the  main  causes  of 
our  army  being  so  reduced  during  the  spring  campaign. 
At  this  camp  Colonel  Edwin  Rose  left  the  regiment, 
on  a  sick  leave,  the  command  devolving  on  Lieutenant 
Colonel  De  Forest. 

On  the  4th  of  May  they  marched  eight  miles, 
toward  Williamsburgh,  passing  to  the  left  of  York- 
town,  and  bivouaced  till  the  morning  of  the  5th,  when 
they  marched  eight  miles  further,  by  a  circuitous 
route,  to  the  plain  in  front  of  Williamsburgh,  on  which 
they  camped,  and  remained  until  after  the  battle  was 
fought ;  Casey's  Division  being  the  reserve  of  the  army, 
was  not  brought  into  action. 

On  the  morning  of  the  10th  they  broke  camp  and 
marched  fifteen  miles,  to  Rogers'  Church,  where  they 
remained  two  days,  encamped  on  good  ground.  On 
the  12th  they  marched  eight  miles  to  New  Kent  Court 
House,  where  they  found  a  dry  camping  ground,  and 
remained  three  days;  broke  camp  on  the  15th,  and 
marched  six  miles,  on  the  16th,  six  miles,  and  on  the 
17th,  three  miles,  to  a  large  plain,  near  Bottom's  Bridge, 
where  they  camped  upon  good  ground,  until  the  23d, 
when  they  broke  camp,  crossed  the  Chickahominy, 
marched  five  miles,  and  bivouaced ;  on  the  24th  they 
marched  four  miles,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  25th 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  229 

moved  three  miles,  to  Seven  Pines,  where  the  regiment 
remained  three  days;  on  the  morning  of  the  28th  they 
advanced  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  to  the  earthworks, 
on  the  extreme  front,  where  they  remained  until  the 
battle  of  Seven  Pines,  which  was  fought  on  the  31st. 
At  the  first  alarm  on  that  day  the  regiment,  under 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  De  Forest,  promptly 
took  the  position  assigned  it,  on  the  left  wing  of  the 
line  of  battle,  in  an  open  field,  unsupported,  fifty  yards 
in  advance  of  a  skirt  of  woods. 

The  enemy  in  front,  screened  by  a  thick  under 
growth  of  bushes,  poured  several  volleys  of  musketry 
into  the  regiment,  and  although  this  was  the  first 
regular  engagement  in  which  they  had  participated, 
yet  they  stood  Irae  veterans.  Volley  after  volley  was 
poured  into  the  bushes,  with  deadly  effect.  Soon  find 
ing  that  they  could  not  maintain  their  exposed  position, 
the  regiment  fell  back  in  good  order  to  the  edge  of  the 
woods  in  their  rear.  During  this  time  both  field 
officers  fell,  Lieutenant  Colonel  De  Forest  pierced 
through  the  chest  by  a  ball  from  the  enemy's  sharp 
shooters;  he  was  carried  from  the  field;  Major  John 
McAmbly  and  Captain  Kingman  were  killed  and 
left  on  the  field,  together  with  many  privates.  Captain 

William  C.  Raulston  being  the  senior  officer  present, 
20 


230  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

then  assumed  command,  and  in  the  position  then  taken 
they  kept  up  a  constant  fight  with  the  enemy  in  front 
for  two  hours,  when  a  large  force,  afterwards  ascertained 
to  be  a  brigade,  entered  the  field  they  had  left  and 
deployed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  approach  them  both 
in  front  and  flank.  To  save  themselves  from  being 
taken  prisoners,  the  order  was  given  to  fall  back  toward 
the  center  of  the  line,  which  was  on  the  Williamsburgh 
road,  half  a  mile  distant.  While  moving  in  that  direc 
tion,  the  center  gave  way,  and  was  being  forced  down 
the  road.  To  meet  this,  they  were  obliged  to  change 
direction,  passing  through  a  thick  wood  and  slashing, 
gaining  open  ground  half  a  mile  in  the  rear  of  the  first 
line  of  rifle  pits,  which  they  entered,  and  continued  the 
fight  until  the  day  closed ;  the  enerd^  in  possession  of 
the  battle  field,  including  the  camp  wibh  all  the  tents, 
the  personal  baggage  and  extra  clothing  of  the  men 
and  officers. 

It  was  noon  when  the  action  commenced,  and  it  was 
kept  up  until  darkness  began  to  gather  over  the  land. 
The  sun  went  down  behind  the  green  pines  without  a 
cloud,  and  the  tranquil  stars  came  out  one  after  the 
other  upon  the  sky,  shedding  their  gentle  light  upon 
field  and  wood,  all  unconscious  of  the  dead  and  dying, 
who  had  looked  their  last  on  the  blue  heavens. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  231 

That  night  the  brigade  was  ordered  down  the  Wil- 
liamsburgh  road,  a  mile  and  a  half,  where  the  men  lay 
upon  their  arms,  awaiting  the  dawn  of  morning.  The 
next  day,  June  1st,  they  were  in  line  part  of  the  day, 
and  the  remainder  was  spent  in  reconnoitring  the 
enemy's  right,  and  burying  the  dead  on  the  field  from 
which  the  enemy  had  been  driven,  when  they  ascer 
tained  that  the  rebels  had  suffered  more  than  the  Union 
troops.  At  night  they  lay  on  their  arms.  The  second 
day  they  occupied  the  same  position. 

At  this  time  the  following  address  was  issued  by 
he  commanding  General,  which  inspired  the  troops 
with  new  vigor: 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  1 
CAMP  NEAR  NEW  BRIDGE,  VA.,  June  2,  1862.      ) 

Soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac: 

I  have  fulfilled  at  least  a  part  of  my  promise  to 
you.  You  are  now  face  to  face  with  the  rebels,  who 
are  held  at  bay  in  front  of  their  Capital.  The  final 
and  decisive  battle  is  at  hand.  Unless  you  belie  your 
past  history,  the  result  cannot  be  for  a  moment  doubt 
ful.  If  the  troops  who  labored  so  faithfully  and  fought 
so  gallantly  at  Yorktown,  and  who  so  bravely  won  the 
hard  fights  at  Williamsburgh,  West  Point,  Hanover 


232      SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

Court  House,  and  Fair  Oaks,  now  prove  worthy  of 
their  antecedents,  the  victory  is  surely  ours. 

The  events  of  every  day  prove  your  superiority. 
\\lierever  you  have  met  the  enemy  you  have  beaten 
him;  wherever  you  have  used  the  bayonet  he  has  given 
way  in  panic  and  disorder. 

I  ask  of  you  now  a  last  crowning  effort.  The  enemy 
has  staked  his  all  on  the  issue  of  the  coming  battle;  let 
us  meet  him  and  crush  him  here,  in  the  very  center  of 
the  rebellion. 

Soldiers,  I  will  be  with  you  in  this  battle,  and  share 
its  dangers  with  you.  Our  confidence  in  each  other 
is  now  founded  upon  the  past.  Let  us  strike  the  blow 
which  is  to  restore  peace  and  union  to  this  distracted 
land.  Upon  your  valor,  discipline  and  mutual  confi 
dence  the  result  depends. 

(Signed)  GEO.  B.  MCCLELLAN, 

Major  General  Commanding. 

On  the  fourth  day  they  marched  to  White  Oak 
Swamp,  six  miles,  where  they  quartered,  being  with 
out  tents,  blankets,  or  extra  clothing.  The  ground 
was  sufficiently  elevated  to  be  dry,  and  also  in  the 
vicinity  of  good  water.  Here  the  men  refreshed  them 
selves,  and  received  a  new  supply  of  shelter  tents  and 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  233 

clothing.  While  at  this  camp  Colonel  Rose  rejoined 
the  regiment  which  remained  here  until  the  28th,  when 
they  received  orders  to  join  the  advance,  on  their  march 
toward  James  river,  and  reached  the  vicinity  of  Mal- 
vern  Hill  on  the  morning  of  the  30th,  after  a  march 
^f  fifteen  miles  through  mud  and  mire ;  it  was  impossi 
ble  for  many  teams  to  get  through,  and  the  wagons  and 
stores  were  destroyed,  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  1st  of  July  the  regiment  was  assigned  to 
the  reserve  force,  but  was  not  brought  into  action  on 
that  day.  On  the  2d  they  took  up  their  line  of  march 
toward  Harrison's  Landing,  and  when  near  the  ravine 
which  was  afterward  selected  for  a  line  of  defence,  it  was 
assigned  a  position  near  the  road,  where  it  remained 
until  all  the  baggage  and  troops  had  passed.  The  men 
lay  on  their  arms  that  night,  and  next  morning  crossed 
the  ravine  and  took  position  on  .the  edge  of  the  woods, 
which  they  maintained  until  the  line  of  defences  were 
fully  established,  and  our  army  was  once  more  secure 
under  cover  of  our  gunboats  on  the  James  river. 

On  the  8th  they  camped  near  the  James  river,  upon 
high  grounds,  well  shaded  with  trees,  sufficiently  open, 
however,  to  allow  the  air  to  circulate  freely.  Here 

they  remained  thirty-nine  days,  doing  but  little  duty. 

*20 


234  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

The  whole  army  was  again  on  the  defensive.  At  this 
camp  Colonel  Rose  tendered  his  resignation,  which  was 
accepted  on  the  7th  of  July,  leaving  Major  Raulston 
in  command,  who  had  been  promoted  in  the  meantime. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th  of  August  the  regiment 
being  the  rear  of  the  army,  broke  camp  and  mart-he^ 
twenty  miles,  toward  Williamsburgh,  bivouaced,  and 
resumed  the  march  the  next  morning,  crossing  the 
Chickahominy  on  a  pontoon  bridge,  at  3  o'clock  P.  M., 
at  nightfall  bivouacing,  after  a  march  of  twenty  miles; 
resumed  their  march  again  on  the  morning  of  the  18th, 
passing  through  Williamsburgh  at  9  o'clock  A.  M.,  and 
continued  their  line  of  march  toward  Yorlftown,  which 
place  was  reached  on  the  19th,  the  men  being  nearly 
exhausted,  and  many  had  fallen  by  the  road  side,  over 
come  by  heat  and  fatigue.  Here  they  went  into  camp 
upon  a  high  bank  of  the  York  river,  and  near  good 
water.  They  remained  at  Yorktown  until  the  last  of 
December,  doing  fatigue  duty  on  the  fortifications,  the 
men  materially  improving  in  health  and  strength,  and 
the  sick  list  proportionately  decreasing.  While  at  this 
place  Colonel  De  Forest  rejoined  the  regiment,  having 
sufficiently  recovered  from  his  wounds  to  take  the  field. 

On  the  evening  of  the  29th  of  December  the  regi 
ment  embarked  for  Beaufort,  North  Carolina,  which 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  235 

harbor  was  reached  on  the  morning  of  January  1st, 
1863.  On  that  day  they  disembarked,  marched  three 
miles,  to  Carolina  City,  and  camped  upon  sandy  ground, 
dry  at  the  surface,  but  saturated  with  water  two  or  three 
feet  below.  They  remained  here  twenty  days,  and  then 
re-embarked  on  the  steam  transport  City  of  Bath,  and 
on  the  28th  sailed  for  Port  Royal,  South  Carolina, 
which  place  was  reached  on  the  30th,  the  regiment 
remaining  on  transports  until  the  10th  of  February, 
when  they  disembarked  and  camped  on  St.  Helena 
Island,  upon  low,  sandy  soil,  full  of  water  just  below 
the  surface,  where  they  remained  fifty-three  clays,  being 
drilled  each  day,  constantly  improving  in  discipline. 

On  the  4th  of  April  the  regiment  re-embarked  and 
sailed  to  North  Edisto  Inlet,  where  it  remained  on 
shipboard  until  the  10th,  when  they  returned  and 
landed  at  Hilton  head,  and  went  into  camp  until  the 
15th,  when  it  again  embarked  and  sailed  for  Beaufort, 
North  Carolina,  making  that  harbor  on  the  17th;  on 
that  day  disembarked  and  moved  by  railroad  to  New- 
bern,  thirty-five  miles  distant,  where  it  remained  until 
the  2d  of  May,  when  the  regiment  was  ordered  back 
to  Morehead  City.  Three  companies,  B,  D  and  G, 
under  Major  D.  B.  White,  were  ordered  to  Fort  Macon, 
for  garrison  duty.  Three  companies,  E,  I  and  K,  were 


236  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

sent  to  Beaufort,  as  Provost  Guard,  under  the  lamented 
Captain  Ballard,  and  the  remaining  four  companies,  A, 
C,  F  and  H,  remained  as  guard  to  Morehead  City, 
which  was  the  headquarters  of  the  regiment,  then  com 
manded  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  W.  B.  Haulston. 

While  at*  this  post  the  Eighty-First  was  called 
upon,  with  other  troops  in  the  District,  to  participate 
in  several  important  raids  in  the  interior  of  the  State. 
On  the  1st  of  July  they  made  a  raid  in  the  direction 
of  AVilmington,  in  which  some  prisoners  were  captured, 
they  also  partially  destroyed  the  railroad  to  that  city. 
Soon  after  an  expedition  was  sent  to  Swansboro,  cap 
turing  some  prisoners  and  property.  Another  raid 
was  made  in  the  same  month,  under  Brigadier  General 
C.  A.  Heckman,  penetrating  through  the  country  to 
within  six  miles  of  Weldon,  capturing  prisoners,  small 
arms  and  about  one  hundred  bales  of  cotton,  returning 
to  Morehead  on  the  2d  of  August,  after  an  absence  of 
eight  days,  the  men  much  exhausted  by  privation  and 
fatigue. 

The  regiment,  while 'here,  was  principally  engaged 
in  building  fortifications  and  doing  picket  and  guard 
duty.  It  remainft.  at  this  place  until  the  18th  of  Octo 
ber,  when  they  embarked  on  board  steamers,  and  sailed 
for  Newport  News,  Virginia,  which  place  was  reaelml 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  237 

on  the  20th;  encamped  within  one  mile  of  the  ground 
occupied  by  the  regiment  in  April,  1862.  Nothing  of 
importance  occurred  while  in  this  camp,  where  they 
remained  until  the  18th  day  of  November,  when  it 
was  ordered  to  Northwest  Landing,  twenty-five  miles 
south  from  Norfolk,  near  the  borders  of  North  Caro 
lina,  arid  in  the  vicinity  of  Dismal  Swamp 

While  en  route  for  this  post  the  regiment  was  fired 
into  by  bushwhackers,  just  at  nightfall,  losing  two  men, 
one  wounded  and  one  taken  prisoner;  the  enemy  made 
their  escape  through  the  swamp  and  woods,  crossing 
the  river  into  North  Carolina  in  safety. 

The  camp  was  established  on  the  19th,  near  North 
west  Landing  river.  The  bridge  had  been  destroyed 
some  time  previous  by  the  enemy,  and  it  was  rebuilt 
by  a  detail  of  men  from  the  regiment,  who  prided 
themselves  on  their  skill  in  the  art  of  bridge  building; 
in  it  they  placed  a  draw,  ingeniously  contrived  for  the 
destruction  of  the  enemy,  in  case  of  a  charge.  A  few 
raids  on  the  enemy  restored  quiet  through  this  portion 
of  the  country;  the  inhabitants  feeling  more  secure 
under  the  Yankee  Government  than  the  one  lately 
adopted  by  them. 

While  in  this  camp  Mrs.  C.  E.  Ingersoll,  of  Lee, 
Oneida  county,  presented  to  the  regiment  a  beautiful 


238  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

heavy  silk  National  Color^in  place  of  those  presented 
by  the  citizens  of  Oswego,  which  had  been  returned  to 
them  while  the  regiment  lay  at  Morehead  City,  North 
Carolina,  by  the  lamented  Captain  Fish,  who  went 
North  on  a  leave  of  absence.  They  had  been  carried 
in  triumph  over  the  enemy's  soil,  as  well  as  on  many 
a  hard  fought  battle  field,  and  were  so  dilapidated  as 
to  be  of  no  further  use  to  the  regiment,  but  will  remain 
in  the  archives  in  which  they  are  placed,  as  an  evidence 
of  the  courage  of  those  who  carried  them. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1864,  the  men  of  the  regi 
ment  having  less  than  one  year  to  serve,  were  solicited 
to  re-enlist  for  three  years,  under  a  call  from  the  AVar 
Department.  On  the  23d  of  February,  two-thirds  of 
those  men  had  re-enlisted,  which  made  the  Eighty- 
First  a  veteran  regiment,  and  entitled  them  to  a  fur 
lough  of  thirty  days;  when  it  was  decided  that  the 
brigade  to  which  the  regiment  was  attached  should  go 
home  in  a  body,  on  a  veteran  furlough;  accordingly, 
on  the  23d,  the  re-enlisted  men  of  the  regiment  left 
camp  at  Northwest  Landing  for  home,  arriving  at  the 
defences  of  Norfolk  on  the  24th,  where  they  bivoiuurd 
for  three  days  awaiting  the  arrival  of  transports  which 
were  to  convey  them  to  New  York  city.  While  here 
they  suffered  much  from  the  cold. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  239 

On  the  27th,  at  four  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  veterans 
embarked  on  board  the  steamer  Prometheus,  homeward 
bound.  The  weather  was  pleasant,  and  all  on  board 
enjoyed  the  voyage.  * 

At  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on  the  29th,  the  vessel 
dropped  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  New  York.  On  the 
1st  of  March  the  regiment  was  mustered  for  pay,  ill 
the  City  Hall  Park,  which  was  very  gratifying  to  the 
men,  especially  at  this  time,  having  such  a  fine  oppor 
tunity  to  use  the  money,  which  they  did  freely. 

On  the  2d  day  of  March  the  brigade  was  reviewed 
by  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  and  escorted  to  the  Arsenal 
by  the  Eighth  and  Thirty-Seventh  Regiments  N.  Y. 
S.  National  Guard,  and  was  also  reviewed  by  Major 
General  Burnside,  at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel.  The 
parade  was  a  success,  and  the  veterans  did  themselves 
great  honor  by  their  soldierly  bearing  and  demeanor. 
After  doing  justice  to  the  sumptuous  entertainment  pro 
vided  by  the  city  authorities,  the  troops  were  escorted 
to  the  Hudson  River  Railroad,  and  took  the  night  train 
for  Albany,  where  they  arrived  next  morning  at  seven 
o'clock,  and  remained  three  days.  While  in  Albany 
the  Brigade  was  reviewed  by  His  Excellency,  Governor 
Seymour,  and  Members  of  the  Legislature,  after  which 
took  the  cars  for  Oswego. 


240  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  Eighty-First  at  Syracuse,  it 
was  met  by  a  committee  from  Oswego,  when  breakfast 
was  served  to  the  regiment  at  the  principal  hotels,  the 
Syracuse  JJouse,  the  Globe,  St.  Charles,  and  Yoorliees 
House,  after  which  they  took  the  cars  for  Oswego, 
where  they  arrived  at  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  same  day. 
Although  the  rain  poured  down  in  torrents,  yet  the 
mass  of  the  population  turned  out  to  welcome  home 
the  veterans  of  the  Eighty-First,  who  were  escorted  by 
the  military  of  the  city,  and  the  Fire  Department,  to 
Doolittle  Hall,  where  the  ladies  of  the  city  had  pre 
pared  a  splendid  repast,  to  which  the  soldiers  gave  their 
most  earnest  attention. 

On  the  following  day  the  men  were  furloughed  for 
thirty  days,  and  proceeded  to  their  several  homes, 
where  they  remained  until  the  5th  of  April,  when  the 
regiment  re-assembled,  but  owing  to  want  of  transpor 
tation,  did  not  leave  for  Albany  until  the  12th;  thence 
they  went  to  New  York  on  the  steamer  St.  John,  and 
on  the  16th  embarked  on  board  the  steamer  Ericsson, 
arriving  at  Yorktown,  Virginia,  on  the  18th. 

Here  the  brigade  was  encamped,  preparatory  to  the 
spring  campaign.  Soon  after  the  men  that  were  left 
at  Northwest  Landing  joined  the  regiment,  when  the 
Eighty-First  was  assigned  to  the  First  Brigade,  Firtt 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  241 

Division,  18th  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the  James.  On 
the  4th  of  May  the  regiment  embarked  on  transports, 
arriving  at  Bermuda  Hundred  on  the  5th,  at  sundown, 
and  on  the  6th  moved  northward,  and  took  a  position 
about  six  miles  from  the  landing,  where  they  com 
menced  building  fortifications. 

On  the  9th  the  Eighty-First  was  deployed  as  skir 
mishers  and  continued  as  such  in  the  advance  during 
the  entire  day,  in  the  direction  of  Petersburg,  where 
they  engaged  the  troops  of  Beauregard.  Constant 
skirmishing  was  kept  up  until  nightfall,  when  a  spirited 
engagement  took  place,  in  which  the  enemy  were  routed 
at  Violet  Station,  on  the  Petersburg  and  Richmond 
Railroad.  During  the  night  the  enemy  made  several 
attempts  to  regain  the  position  lost  by  them,  but  with 
out  avail. 

On  the  10th  the  Union  forces  were  ordered  to  their 
intrenchments  at  Bermuda  Hundred.  On  the  12th 
another  advance  was  made  toward  Richmond,  the  regi 
ment  being  temporarily  attached  to  the  10th  Army 
Corps,  under  command  of  Major  General  Gilmore, 
which,  on  the  13th,  engaged  the  enemy  at  Kingsland 
Creek,  capturing  a  strong  position  on  the  enemy's 
right.  The  loss  was  quite  severe  on  both  sides,  the 
enemy  being  driven  out,  and  a  long  line  of  works  was 

21 


242  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT 

captured,  together  with  many  prisoners.  The  fighting 
continued  until  midnight,  the  rebels  making  several 
charges  to  retake  the  works. 

On  the  14th  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  support  a 
battery,  in  which  it  suffered  some  loss.  On  the  15th 
they  were  ordered  to  throw  up  rifle  pits.  On  the 
morning  of  the  16th  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff  was 
fought.  The  enemy  taking  advantage  of  a  fog,  and 
smoke,  succeeded  in  forcing  through  the  right  of  our 
lines,  commanded  by  Brigadier  General  Heckman, 
which  caused  some  hard  fighting,  the  enemy  capturing 
many  of  our  men,  also  the  General. 

The  Eighty-First  was  complimented  by  Generals 
Butler  and  Gilmore  for  gallantry  during  the  day,  on 
two  occasions,  repulsing  charges  of  the  enemy.  At 
nightfall  the  Union  forces  were  compelled  to  fall  back 
to  their  intrenchments  which  they  did  under  cover 
of  night,  having  sustained  a  loss  of  about  3,000  killed, 
wounded  and  missing. 

On  the  28th  of  May  the  18th  Army  Corps  was 
ordered  to  the  James  river,  and  on  the  29th  embarked 
on  board  of  transports  and  proceeded  to  the  White 
House,  Virginia,  on  the  Pamunky  river,  where  they 
arrived  on  the  following  day,  pitched  their  tents  and 
found  a  little  rest  for  the  night. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  243 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  31st  the  18th  Corps  moved 
forward  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  bivouaoing 
at  New  Castle,  on  the  Pamunky  river.  At  daylight 
they  continued  their  march;  the  day  was  suffocatingly 
hot,  and  many  of  the  men  fell  by  the  road  side  from 
exhaustion,  reaching  the  left  of  that  army  on  the  1st 
day  of  June,  at  Cold  Harbor.  Although  the  whole 
command  was  nearly  exhausted  from  excessive  march 
ing  through  the  burning  sun,  the  18th  Army  Corps 
was  ordered  to  engage  the  enemy,  taking  their  position 
on  the  left  of  the  6th  Corps,  which  had  just  arrived. 
The  men  did  not  murmur,  but  went  into  the  fight  with 
a  determination  seldom  witnessed,  capturing  a  strong 
line  of  works  before  nightfall. 

The  Eighty-First,  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  were 
selected  to  hold  the  works  during  the  night,  and  the 
enemy  were  repulsed  several  times  in  trying  to  retake 
them. 

On  the  2d  the  Eighty-First  were  to  have  been 
withdrawn^  but  owing  to  some  cause,  were  advanced 
to  a  more  dangerous  position.  During  the  day  it  lost 
over  seventy  in  killed  and  wounded.  Among  those 
killed  was  Lieutenant  J.  W.  Burke,  of  Company  K. 

The  3d  day  of  June  will  long  be  remembered  as  the 
date  of  one  of  the  most  bloody  battles  of  the  war, 


244  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

which  was  participated  in  by  the  entire  army,  under 
General  Grant,  not  excepting  the  gallant  Eighty-First, 
which  had  been  four  days  on  constant  duty,  with  little 
food  and  no  sleep,  and  the  men  were  worn  out;  still 
the  regiment  sustained  its  former  reputation,  and  added 
new  laurels  to  its  proud  banner.  Seven  Captains  out 
of  nine  were  either  killed  or  wounded.  Captain  AV.  AV. 
Ballard,  of  Company  I,  and  Captain  James  Martin,  of 
Company  K,  were  killed.  The  regiment  lost  thirteen 
officers.  The  color  guard  was  completely  annihilated, 
and  one-half  of  those  who  were  engaged  that  morning 
were  either  killed  or  wounded.  During  the  twelve 
days  they  were  engaged  at  Cold  Harbor  over  two- 
thirds  of  the  regiment  were  swept  from  the  ranks. 
Owing  to  the  reduction  of  the  number  in  the  regiment 
an  order  was  issued  to  consolidate  the  companies,  pro 
visionally,  into  four,  in  which  form  they  did  duty 
afterward. 

On  the  12th  of  June  the  Eighty-First  returned  witli 
the  18th  Army  Corps  to  the  White  House,  embarking 
thence,  on  board  of  transports,  for  Bermuda  Hundred, 
arriving  at  Point  of  Rocks,  on  the  Appomattox  river 
on  the  night  of  the  14th,  where  they  bivouaced.  The 
Corps  had  expected  rest;  but  there  was  no  rest  in  the 
programme  of  the  Lieutenant  General,  and  two  o'clock 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  245 

the  next  morning  found  the  Eighty-First  en  route  for 
Petersburg,  crossing  the  pontoon  bridge  at  daylight, 
arriving  in  front  of  that  city  at  noon,  where  it  added 
new  laurels  to  those  already  won,  in  driving  the  enemy 
out  of  the  first  line  of  their  fortifications,  which  were 
forts  mounted  with  heavy  guns.  The  line  of  battle 
was  formed  in  a  skirt  of  woods,  the  artillery  placed 
in  front,  the  pieces  leveled  to  send  the  shot  into  the 
embrasures  of  the  forts,  which  was  so  accurately  done 
that  it  prevented  them  from  working  their  guns.  Our 
artillery  fired  rapidly  for  about  twenty  minutes,  when 
a  charge  was  made  by  the  whole  corps,  crossing  an 
open  field  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  down  a  steep  hill, 
and  then  up  the  fortifications,  which  were  about  forty 
feet  high,  driving  the  enemy  with  the  point  of  the 
bayonet.  This  was  one  of  the  most  successful  charges 
of  the  campaign. 

On  the  16th  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  support 
ing  an  assaulting  column,  and  subsequently  employed 
in  skirmishing,  until  a  late  hour  at  night,  when  again 
it  threw  up  breastworks  along  the  line,  which  were 
half  a  mile  in  advance  of  the  forts  lately  captured. 

On  the  26th  the  enemy  opened  a  terrific  bombard 
ment  with  artillery,  continuing  about  an  hour,  when 

they  made  a  charge  in  two  columns,  in  front  of  the 

*21 


246  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIME .\ ;T. 

First  Brigade.  When  at  a  proper  distance  our  troops 
opened  a  most  destructive  fire,  literally  annihilating 
them ;  every  man  that  was  not  killed  or  wounded  was 
compelled  to  surrender. 

In  this  engagement  the  Eighty-First  lost  very  few 
wounded,  and  took  more  prisoners  from  the  enemy 
than  they  had  men  in  the  ranks.  The  weather  at  this 
time  was  very  warm,  and  its  men  suffered  a  great  deal 
from  the  effects  of  it,  as  well  as  being  annoyed  l>v  the 
shells  from  the  rebel  batteries,  or  those  of  our  own, 
many  of  which  were  premature  explosions,  and  fell  into 
our  camp,  which  was  then  midway  between  Petersburg 
and  the  forts  we  captured  of  the  15th.  This  made  it 
very  uncomfortable  for  us,  oftentimes  driving  us  into 
our  bomb  proofs,  called  gopher  holes  by  the  boys, 
which  afford  a  secure  protection  from  the  shells. 

On  the  9th  of  July  the  regiment  was  engaged,  with 
our  division,  in  supporting  the  9th  Army  Corps,  return 
ing  the  next  day  to  the  trenches,  where  it  remained 
until  the  30th,  when  it  took  part  in  the  Burnside  mine 
explosion.  After  the  repulse  of  the  9th  Army  Corps, 
the  Division  was  placed  in  the  front  line,  near  the 
crater,  and  did  effective  service,  in  covering  the  retreat. 
Several  men  of  the  Eighty-First  were  wounded  in  this 
engagement,  although  none  were  killed. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  247 

On  the  2d  of  August  the  regiment  returned  to  the 
trenches,  near  the  Appomattox  river,  where  it  remained 
until  the  26th,  when  they  returned  to  Bermuda  Hun 
dred,  taking  a  position  in  the  front  line.  On  the  28th 
new  orders  came,  and  at  nine  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  regi 
ment  was  in  light  inarching  order.  At  three  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  of  the  29th,  crossed  the  James  river  on  pon 
toons,  advancing  across  an  open  country.  It  soon  came 
in  full  view  of  the  enemy's  strong  position,  called  Fort 
Harrison,  behind  which  they  were  found  to  be  in  force. 
In  carrying  these  works  a  fearful  loss  was  inflicted  on 
the  Union  forces. 

The  Eighty-First  was  the  first  to  plant  its  colors 
on  the  rebel  works,  capturing  two  redoubts,  several 
pieces  of  artillery,  large  numbers  of  prisoners,  and  one 
battle  flag.  In  this  engagement  Captain  Rix,  Lieu 
tenants  Tuttle  and  Nethaway  were  killed,  and  Captain 
Fish,  Lieutenants  Dolbier,  Porter  and  Copeland  mor 
tally  wounded,  with  many  privates.  Nine  officers  were 
either  killed  or  wounded  in  this  action,  leaving  only 
three  officers  to  command  the  balance  of  the  regiment. 
On  the  30th  the  regiment  lost  quite  a  number  of  men, 
as  the  enemy  made  several  attempts  to  dislodge  our 
troops  from  the  fort,  but  without  success.  A  large 
number  of  prisoners  and  two  battle  flags  were  cap- 


248          .     SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

tured  from  the  enemy  by  them.  During  the  two  clays' 
fight  the  Eighty-First  lost  one  hundred  in  killed  and 
wounded,  including  nine  officers,  out  of  twelve. 

The  Eighty-First  remained  at  Fort  Harrison,  doing 
picket  duty,  until  the  27th  of  October,  when  it  took 
part  in  the  movement  on  the  enemy's  left,  near  Seven 
Pines,  and  on  the  29th  it  engaged  the  enemy  on  the 
same  ground  on  which  it  fought  two  and  a  half  years 
before,  with  opposite  results  of  the  first  engagement, 
driving  the  eneniy  back  to  Richmond,  after  which  the 
troops  returned  to  their  old  quarters  at  Chapin's  Farm. 
.  In  recognition  of  their  services,  the  regiment  was 
presented  with  a  stand  of  silken  colors,  by  the  War 
Department,  on  the  recommendation  of  Major  General 
Butler,  commanding  the  Department,  on  which  was 
inserted  the  following  names:  Yorktown,  Seven  Pines, 
Savage  Station,  Malvern  Hill,  Winton,  Violet  Station, 
Kingsland  Creek,  Drury's  Bluff,  May  13th,  loth,  16th, 
Cold  Harbor,  June  1st,  2d  and  3d,  Petersburg,  June 
15th,  16th  and  24th,  and  July  9th  and  30th,  Fort 
'Harrison  (Chapin's  Farm),  September  29th  and  30th, 
Fair  Oaks,  2d,  October  27th,  1864. 

On  the  5th  of  November  the  regiment  was  ordered 
to  Xew  York  harbor,  where  they  arrived  on  transports, 
and  remained  during  the  Presidential  election.  From 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  249 

thence  they  returned  to  their  old  camp,  in  front  of 

• 
Richmond,  arriving  on  the  night  of  November  18th. 

On  the  20th  of  December  the  10th  and  18th  Army 
Corps  were  consolidated,  and  the  Eighty-First  was 
assigned  to  the  First  Brigade,  *Third  Division,  of  the 
24th  Army  Corps. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  1865,  General  Butler  was 
relieved  of  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  James, 
which  he  had  been  connected  with  from  its  organiza 
tion.  In  taking  leave  of  his  officers  and  soldiers  he 
issued  the  following  address :  • 

"Soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the  James: 

"  Your  commander,  relieved  by  order  of  the  Presi 
dent,  takes  leave  of  you.  Your  conduct  in  the  field 
has  extorted  praises  from  the  unwilling.  You  have 
endured  the  privations  of  the  camp  and  the  march 
without  a  murmur;  you  have  never  failed  to  attack 
when  ordered;  you  have  stormed  and  taken  works 
deemed  impregnable  by  the  enemy;  you  have  shown 
the  positions  to  be  so  by  holding  them  against  his 
fiercest  assaults  in  the  attempt  to  retake  them. 

"  Those  skilled  in  war  have  marveled  at  the  obsta 
cles  overcome  by  your  valor.  Your  line  of  works  has 
excited  the  wonder  of  the  officers  of  other  nations,  who 


250  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

came  to  learn  defensive  warfare  from  the  monuments 
of  your  skilled  labor.  Your  deeds  have  rendered  your 
name  illustrious.  In  aftertimes  your  General's  proudest 
memory  Vill  be  to  say,  with  you :  '  I,  too,  was  of  the 
Army  of  the  James/  To  share  such  a  companionship 
is  pleasure ;  to  participate  in  such  acts  is  honor ;  to  have 
commanded  such  an  army  is  glory. 

"No  one  could  yield  it  without  regret,  knowing 
your  willing  obedience  to  orders,  witnessing  your  ready 
devotion  of  your  blood  in  your  country's  cause.  I  have 
Ifcen  chary  of  the  precious  charge  confided  to  me.  I 
have  refused  to  order  useless  sacrifices  of  the  lives  of 
such  soldiers;  and  I  am  relieved  from  your  command. 
The  wasted  blood  of  my  men  does  not  stain  my  gar 
ments.  For  my  action  I  am  responsible  to  my  God 
and  my  country. 

"  To  ilie  Colored  Troops  of  the  Army  of  the  James: 
In  this  army  you  have  been  treated  not  as  laborers  but 
as  soldiers.  You  have  shown  yourselves  worthy  of  the 
uniform  you  wear.  The  best  officers  of  the  Union  seek 
to  command  you.  Your  bravery  has  now  the  admira 
tion  even  of  those  who  would  be  your  masters.  Your 
patriotism,  fidelity  and  courage,  have  illustrated  the  best 
qualities  of  manhood.  With  the  bayonet  you  have 
unlocked  the  iron  barred  gates  of  prejudice,  opening 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  251 

new  fields  of  freedom,  liberty  and  equality  of  rights 
to  yourselves  and  your  race  forever. 

"Comrades  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  I  bid  you 
farewell.  Farewell. 

"BENJAMIN  F.  BUTLEK,  Maj.  Gen." 

That  portion  of  the  regiment  which  did  not  re-enlist 
were  discharged  during  the  month  of  January,  1865, 
reducing  the  regiment  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
present  for  duty,  who  were  mostly  veterans. 

The  regiment  remained  at  Fort  Harrison  doing 
picket  duty,  until  the  advance  was  ordered,  "On  to 
Richmond ! "  On  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  April  the 
Eighty-First  were  deployed  as  skirmishers,  in  front 
of  "Wetzel's  forces,  and  was  the  first  infantry  regiment 
to  enter  the  rebel  Capital. 

This  was  the  last  and  crowning  act  of  this  noble 
and  gallant  regiment.  On  entering  the  city,  their  first 
work  was  to  release  the  Union  prisoners  confined  in 
Castle  Thunder  and  Libby  Prison,  putting  in  confine 
ment  the  same  number  of  rebels.  Then  our  starry 
flag  was  raised  above  the  prison  wall,  amid  the  deafen 
ing  cheers  of  the  soldiers  and  now  happy  contrabands 
and  prisoners,  all  of  whom  had  long  been  wishing  for 
the  time  when  they  should  be  released  from  prison  and 


252  .    SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

a  bondage  worse  than  death.  After  which  the  soldiers 
were  engaged  in  extinguishing  the  conflagration  which 
was  then  raging  in  different  parts  of  the  city.  The 
released  prisoners  and  contrabands  went  in  for  a  share 
of  the  spoil  which  such  an  occasion  generally  affords. 

After  doing  duty  for  some  weeks  in  and  around  the 
city,  the  regiment  were  ordered  to  Williamsburgh, 
where  they  remained  until  the  last  of  July.  From 
there  they  were  ordered  to  Fortress  Monroe,  where 
they  were  mustered  out  of  the  service  on  the  1st  day 
of  August,  and  ordered  to  report  at  Albany,  N.  Y. 
They  took  a  steam  transport  for  New  York,  and  from 
there  proceeded  to  Albany,  by  boat,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Colonel  D.  B.  White.  While  at  Albany  they 
encamped  on  the  heights  along  the  Hudson  river,  north 
of  the  city,  and  in  the  rear  of  the  new  barracks. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  sieges,  engagements 
and  raids,  in  which  the  regiment  participated: 

Siege  of  Yorktown,  Virginia,  May  3d,  1862. 
Battle  of  Williamsburgh,  Virgina,  May  5,  1862. 
Battle  of  Bottoms'  Bridge,  Virginia,  May  11,  1862. 
Battle  of  Savage  Station,  Virginia,  May  22,  1862. 
Battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  Virginia,  May  30th,  1862. 
Battle  of  Seven  Pines,  Virginia,  May  31",  1862. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  253 

Battle  of  Chickahominy,  Virginia,  June  24, 1862. 
Battle  of  Charles  City  Cross  Roads,  Virginia,  June 

25,  1862. 

Battle  of  Malvern  Hill,  Virginia,  July  1,  1862. 
Siege  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  April  7,  8,  9  and 

10,  1863.  ^ 

Raid  on  Washington,  North  Carolina,  April  18,  1863. 
Raid  on  Trenton,  North  Carolina,  July  4,  1863. 
Raid  on  Winton,  North  Carolina,  July  28,  29,  30, 1863. 
Battle  of  Violet  Station,  Virginia,  May  9,  1864. 
Battle  of  Kingsland  Creek,  Virginia,  May  13,  1864. 
Battle  of  Drury's  Bluff,  Virginia,  May  16,  1864. 
Battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Virginia,  from  1st  to  12th  of 

June,  1864. 
Siege  of  Petersburg,  Virginia,  from  June  15th  until 

August  26,  1864. 

Battle  of  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  September,  29,  1864. 
Battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  2d,  Virginia,  October  27,  1864. 
ENTERED  RICHMOND,  Virginia,  April  3d,  1865. 

The  firearms  used  in  these  engagements  were  mus 
kets,  calibre  58.  The  first  arms  were  the  Springfield, 
drawn  at  Albany,  just  previous  to  the  regiment  leaving 
the  Military  Depot,  and  were  used  during  the  cam 
paign  of  1862,  when  they  were  exchanged  for  the 
22 


254  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

Austrian.  These  gave  great  dissatisfaction,  being  very 
inferior  in  style  and  manufacture,  and  were  finally 
returned,  receiving  the  Enfield  in  exchange,  which 
compare  well  with  our  Springfield.  They  were  used 
by  the  regiment  during  the  remainder  of  the  war.  The 
n ion  of  the  regiment  pride^l  themselves  much  on  their 
guns,  in  keeping  them  clean  and  bright,  their  barrels 
glistening  in  the  sun  like  silver.  An  order  was  issued 
by  the  commander  of  the  regiment,  relieving  the  pri 
vate  from  certain  duties,  whose  arms  and  equipments 
bore  the  best  inspection,  when  they  were  required  to 
wear  white  gloves,  boots  neatly  blacked,  and  knap 
sacks  properly  packed,  which  caused  no  small  degree 
of  rivalry  among  the  men. 

The  colors  of  the  regiment  were  never  in  the  hands 
of  the  enemy.  They  \vere  carried  triumphantly  on 
every  field  of  battle  in  which  the  regiment  participated. 

The  original  colors  are  deposited  in  the  archives  of 
the  city  of  Oswego.  The  other  two  flags  which  were 
presented  to  the  regiment,  one  by  Mrs.  E.  C.  Ingersoll, 
of  Oneida  county,  and  the  other  by  the  War  Depart 
ment,  in  recognition  of  their  services  during  the  war, 
and  especially  at  Fort  Harrison,  Virginia,  are  now 
deposited  in  the  Bureau  of  Military  Record,  at  Albany, 


SECOND  OSWEGO  KEGIMENT.  255 

N.  Y.,  to  remain  there  as  evidence  of  the  loyalty  and 
courage  of  the  regiment  who  bore  them  in  the  hour  of 
our  country's  peril  and  danger,  amid  carnage  and  death, 
many  of  whom  fell  beneath  them,  and  are  now  resting 
quietly  in  unknown  graves. 

"Unmentioned,  unreturning  braves! 

Who  perished  far  from  friends  and  home, 
And  found  unmarked  but  sacred  graves 
Beneath  the  blue  of  Heaven's  dome ; 

To  you,  who  left  alike  behind, 

And  left  for  aye,  your  friends  and  fears; 

To  danger,  not  to  duty,  blind, 
We  yield  the  tribute  of  our  tears. 

Ye  perished  in  a  hostile  land, 

In  prison,  hospital,  or  fight; 
But  never  lifted  lawless  hand, 

Nor  struck  a  blow,  but  for  the  right. 

Whether  the  field  was  lost  or  won 

On  which  ye  perished,  reck  not  ye; 
Success  is  sure  in  duty  done, 

To  die  for  right  is  victory. 

Soft  stream  the  sunshine  overhead, 

Green  grow  the  grasses  on  your  graves; 

Heaven  will  remember  you,  though  dead, 
Ungarlanded,  immortal  braves." 


256  SECOND  OSWEGO  IVI:<;IMI-:XT. 

The  marches  of  the  regiment  were  often  through 
drenching  rain,  mud  and  swamps,  and  sometimes  under 
a  burning  sun.  The  men  often  became  exhausted  from 
fatigue;  many  of  them,  on  the  march,  were  obliged  to 
abandon  their  extra  clothing  to  lighten  their  burthen, 
which  sometimes  consisted  of  a  great  coat,  knapsack 
well  filled,  a  blanket,  haversack  containing  three  days7 
rations,  canteen  holding  three  pints  of  water,  a  gun 
weighing  fourteen  pounds,  besides  equipments,  with 
forty  rounds  of  cartridge  in  their  boxes,  and  twenty 
extra  rounds  in  their  pockets  or  knapsacks;  their  feet 
would  often  blister,  compelling  them  to  fall  out  by  the 
wayside,  where  they  were  left  to  the  tender  mercy  of 
the  enemy;  frequently  shoeless,  and  sometimes  throwing 
away  their  shoes,  traveling  through  the  heated  sand 
to  find  a  little  relief. 

The  following  are  the  marches  made  by  this  regi 
ment  from  the  time  it  left  Fort  Ontario,  in  1861,  until 
it  returned  to  Albany  and  was  discharged,  in  1865, 
including  railroad  and  steam  transportation.  Some 
of  the  steam  transports  were  rickety  old  vessels,  which 
had  been  let  or  sold  to  the  Government  agents  at  the 
most  enormous  rates,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  troops 
from  place  to  place  along  the  coast  and  inland  waters, 
were  unsafe,  and  not  fit  to  carry  cattle : 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  257 

MILES. 

Osvvego  to  Albany,         -                                                    -  -         183 

Albany  to  New  York,  150 

New  York  to  Washington,  -        225 

Washington  to  Alexandria,  D.  C.,    -                           •  7 

Alexandria  to  Fortress  Monroe,  Virginia,                          -  -         116 

Fortress  Monroe  to  Seven  Pines,  Virginia,  -  65 

Seven  Pines  to  Harrison's  Landing,  Virginia,      -            -  17 

Harrison's  Landing  to  Yorktown,  Virginia,  52 
York  town  to  Carolina  City,  North  Carolina,       ...        278 

Carolina  City  to  Port  Royal,  South  Carolina,  250 

Port  Royal  to  Beaufort,  South  Carolina,  -                        -  16 

Beaufort  to  St.  Helena  Island,  South  Carolina,          -  14 

St.  Helena  Island  to  North  Edisto  Inlet,  South  Carolina,  58 

North  Edisto  Inlet  to  Hilton  Head,  South  Carolina,  -  56 

Hilton  Head  to  Newbern,  North  Carolina,  -        287 

Newbern  to  Fort  Macon,  North  Carolina,      -  38 

Fort  Macon  to  Trenton,  North  Carolina,  -          90 

Trenton  to  Morehead  City,  North  Carolina,  -  88 

Morehead  City  to  Winton,  North  Carolina,  -        250 

Winton  to  Morehead  City,  North  Carolina,  -  250 

Morehead  City  to  Newport  News,  Virginia,          •  •        259 

Newport  News  to  Northwest  Landing,  Virginia,        -  41 
Northwest  Landing  to  Oswego,  New  York,         ...        625 

Oswego  to  Yorktown,  Virginia,        -                                        -  620 

Yorktown  to  Bermuda  Hundred,  Virginia           -  -  -        130 

Bermuda  Hundred  to  Cold  Harbor,  Virginia            -             -  225 

Cold  Harbor  to  Petersburg,  Virginia,     -                           -  -        235 

Petersburg  to  Fort  Harrison,  Virginia,        ...  25 

Fort  Harrison  to  New  York  city,                                       -  -         470 

New  York  city  to  Fort  Harrison,      -                          -  470 

Fort  Harrison  to  Richmond,      -  5 

Richmond  to  Williamshurgh,                          ...  32 

Williamsburgh  to  Fortress  Monroe         -  37 

Fortress  Monroe  to  Albany,  New  York,       -                          -  380 

-      6,043 
*22 


258  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

On  the  17th  day  of  August,  1865,  the  men  received 
their  final  pay  from  the  Government  which  they  had 
so  faithfully  served,  many  of  them  more  than  four 
years,  and  now  were  again  to  become  citizens  of  the 
Republic  which  they  had  helped  defend  from  the  foul 
hands  of  traitors.  It  was  a  most  glorious  epoch  in  their 
history;  the  proudest  record  of  their  lives. 

The  nation  was  never  served  by  braver  men,  nor  a 
more  loyal  regiment.  They  were  among  the  first  to 
respond  to  their  country's  call,  and  among  the  last  to 
leave  its  service,  and  not  then  until  war's  bloody  tide 
was  stayed  and  the  supremacy  of  the  Government  had 
been  established,  with  freedom  for  its  corner  stone,  and 
justice  to  all  men  for  its  motto.  If  valor  and  fidelity 
are  passports  to  honor  and  places  of  emolument,  then 
the  soldiers  of  the  Eighty-First  Regiment  should  share 
some  of  them. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  259 

I 

RECORD  OF  COMMISSIONED  OFFICERS. 


THIS  record  shows  the  names  of  all  the  commissioned  officers  who 
served  with  the  Eighty-First  Regiment,  New  York  State  Volunteer 
Infantry,  from  1861  to  the  close  of  the  war,  which  is  one  hundred  and 
nine,  to  whom  one  hundred  and  eighty-two  commissions  were  issued 
during  the  terms  of  three  different  Governors,  viz. :  Major  General  E. 
D.  Morgan,  Hon  Horatio  Seymour,  and  Hon.  Reuben  E.  Fenton,  giving 
the  dates  of  commissions,  and  a  record  of  discharges,  resignations, 
wounds  received  in  action,  killed  or  died  from  disease. 

Most  of  the  officers  had  served  in  the  ranks,  and  won  their  promo 
tion  through  merit,  which  is  an  honor  they  may  well  feel  proud  of,  and 
which  is  the  only  true  mode  of  advancement.  This  method  encourages 
the  private  soldier  to  perform  his  duty,  and  produces  a  generous  rivalry 
among  the  officers,  who  are  so  ambitious  for  power  and  distinction. 

EDWIN  ROSE,  Colonel,  February  19,  1862;  resigned  at  Harrison's 
Landing,  July  7,  1862;  afterwards  appointed  Provost  Marshal  for 
the  First  Congressional  District  of  the  State  of  New  York ;  was  a 
graduate  of  West  Point;  served  in  the  Florida  War,  as  Second 
Lieutenant;  afterward  resigned  and  retired  to  civil  life,  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  rebellion.  Died  in  1864. 

JACOB  J.  DE  FOREST,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  December  20,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  Virginia,  May  31,  1862; 
promoted  to  Colonel  July  19, 1862;  discharged  September  1,  1864, 
on  account  of  physical  disability,  incurred  in  the  service. 

JOHN  McAMBLY,  Major,  February  19,  1862;  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Seven  Pines ;  buried  on  the  field. 


260  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

EDWARD  A.  COOKE,  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant,  February  19, 
1862;  promoted  to  Captain,  o^vember  15,  1864;  mustered  out  at 
expiration  of  term  of  service. 

ROGER  A.  FRANCIS,  First  Lieutenant  and  Regimental  Quarti-riiiast«-r, 
February  19,  1862;  promoted  to  Captain,  December  17,  1863; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3,  1864;  dis 
charged  for  physical  debility  incurred  in  the  service. 

WILLIAM  II.  rflCE,  Surgeon,  February  19,  1862;  was  Division  Sur 
geon  in  the  campaign  of  1864,  and  served  in  all  the  battles  in  which 
the  regiment  was  engaged ;  mustered  out  at  expiration  of  term  of 
service. 

JOHN  N.  MILLER,  Surgeon,  February  25,  1865;  mustered  out  at  the 
close  of  the  war. 

CARRINGTON  McFARLAND,  Assistant  Surgeon,  February  19,  1862; 
promoted  to  Surgeon  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth  New  York 
Volunteers;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

EPHRAIM  W.  BUCK,  Assistant  Surgeon,  July  24,  1863;  mustered  out 
for  promotion,  in  another  department. 

JOHN  X.  OLIVER,  Assistant  Surgeon,  August  25,  1864;  mustered  out 
at  the  close  of  the  war. 

GEORGE  W.  EARLL,  Second  Assistant  Surgeon,  August  27,  1862; 

resigned. 

SYDNEY  D.  GRASSE,  Second  Assistant  Surgeon,  April,  27,  1863. 
DAVID  McFARLAND,  Chaplain,  February  17,  1862;  resigned. 
ISAAC  G.  DURYEE.  Chaplain,  October  17,  1862;  mustered  out  at  the 

close  of  the  war;  died  February  8th,  1866,  from  disease  contracted 

in  the  service. 

WILLIAM  C.  RAULSTON,  Captain,  February,  19,  1862;  promoted 
to  Major,  June  20,  1862,  to  Lieutenant  Colonel,  July  19,  1862; 
resigned  September  6,  1863;  afterward  promoted  to  Colonel  of  the 
Twenty-Fourth  New  York  State  Volunteer  Cavalry;  was  captured 
in  front  of  Petersburg,  Va. ;  shot  in  prison,  at  Danville,  Va.,  while 
attempting  to  escape,  from  which  wounds  he  died. 


SECOXD  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  261 

AUGUSTUS  G.  BENNETT,  Captain,  February  19,  1862;  promoted  to 
Lieutenant  Colonel  in  the  Twenty-First  United  States  Colored 
Troops ;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

FRANKLIN  HANNAHS,  Captain,  February  19,  1862;  promoted  from 

the  ranks ;  died  while  in  the  service. 
LEVERETT  C.  ADKINS,  Captain,.  February  19,  1862;  resigned. 

DAVID  B.  WHITE,  Captain,  February  19,  1862;  promoted  to  Major 
October  23,  1862;  mustered  out  at  expiration  of  term  of  service; 
afterward  re-enlisted  as  a  private,  and  promoted  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  February  17,  1865;  promoted  to  Colonel  July  12,  1865; 
mustered  out  of  the  service  at  the  close  of  the  war ;  originally  pro 
moted  from  the  ranks. 

T.  DWIGHT  STOW,  Captain,  February  19,  1862;  resigned. 

HENRY  C.  THOMPSON,  Captain,  February  19,  1862;  resigned. 

JOHN  B.  RAULSTON,  Captain,  February  19,  1862;  promoted  to  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  November  24,  1863;  mustered  out  at  the  expiration 
of  term  of  service. 

LYMAM  M.  KINGMAN,  Captain,  February  19,  1862;  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Seven  Pines,  Va.,  May  31,  1862;  buried  on  the  field. 
Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

J.  DORMAN  STEELE,  Captain,  February  19,  1862;  resigned. 

EDWARD  S.  COOK,  First  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  promoted 
to  Captain  July  19,  1862 ;  resigned. 

HAMILTON  LITTLEFIELD,  JR.,  First  Lieutenant,  February,  19,  1862; 
dismissed  the  service. 

HUGH  ANDERSON,  First  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  promoted 
to  Captain,  August  27,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines, 
Va.,  May  31,  1862,  also  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3, 
1864;  "mustered  but  at  the  expiration  of  term  of  service. 

ORIN  J.  FITCH,  First  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  resigned.  Pro 
moted  from  the  ranks. 

JOHN  G.  PHILLIPS,  First  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  resigned. 


262      SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

WILLARD  W.  BALLARD,  First  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  pro 
moted  to  Captain,  October  29,  1862;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Cold 
Harbor,  June  3,  1864;  his  body  was  sent  home.  Promoted  from 

the  ranks. 

EDWARD  A.  COOK,  First  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  promoted 
to  Captain,  July  19,  1862;  resigned. 

GEORGE  W.  BERRIMAN,  First  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862; 
resigned. 

JOHN  W.  OLIVER,  First  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  discharged 
on  account  of  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  Va., 
4      May  31,  1862. 

WALTER  C.  NEWBERRY,  First  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862:  pro 
moted  to  Captain,  October  22,  1862;  dismissed  the  service;  after 
ward  promoted  to  Major,  Lieutenant  Colonel  and  Colonel  of  the 
Twenty-Fourth  N.  Y.  S.  V.  C. ;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

HEXRY  W.  GREEX,  First  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  resigned. 
Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

JAMES  MARTIN,  First  Lieutenant,  July  19,  1862;  promoted  to  Cap 
tain,  February  17,  1863;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Ilarbor,  Va., 
June  3,  1864;  left  on  the  field. 

BARTHOLOMEW  S.  DE  FOREST,  First  Lieutenant,  August  26,  1862; 
promoted  to  Regimental  Quartermaster,  February  17,  1863;  dis 
charged  September  19,  1864,  for  physical  debility  incurred  in  the 
service. 

GEORGE  W.  STEADMAN,  First  Lieutenant,  November  21,  1862; 
resigned.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

CHARLES  R.  JOHNSON,  Tirst  Lieutenant,  December,  1862;  promoted 
to  Captain,  January  14,  1865;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the 
war.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

JOHN  W.  BURK,  First  Lieutenant,  February  17,  1863;  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  2,  1864;  his  body  was  sent  home. 
Promoted  from  the  ranks. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  263 

SEWARD  ZIMMERMAN,  First  Lieutenant,  November  20,  1803 ;  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3,  1864;  dis 
charged  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action ;  promoted  from 
Sergeant. 

CHARLES  C.  COVAL,  First  Lieutenant,  November  30, 1863  ;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3,  1864;  discharged  oa 
account  of  wounds  received  in  action.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

BYRON  B.  MORRIS,  First  Lieutenant,  July  21,  1864;  promoted  to 
Captain,  January  31,  1865,  to  Major,  July  12,  1865;  mustered  out 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

HIRAM  P.  BALLARD,  First  Lieutenant,  September  16,  1864;  pro 
moted  to  Captain,  June  17,  1865  ;  mustered  ont  at  the  close  of  the 
war.  Promoted  from  Sergeant  Major.  * 

CASPAR  J.  COOKE,  First  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1864;  promoted 
to  Captain,  January  31,  1865  ;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

EDWARD  A.  BLAKELY,  First  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1864;  pro 
moted  to  Captain,  March  14,  1865  ;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of 
the  war.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

HENRY  SQUIRES,  First  Lieutenant,  January  31,  1865 ;  promoted  to 
Captain,  June  29,  1865;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

WILLIAM  BREDOW,  First  Lieutenant,  January  31,  1865;  promoted 
to  Captain,  May  31,  1865;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

JOHN  WALKER,  First  Lieutenant,  January  31,  1865 ;  mustered  out 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

WILLIAM  P.  BABCOCK,  First  Lieutenant,  January  31,  1865 ;  pro 
moted  to  Captain,  July  6,  1865;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the 
war.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

ALBERT  H.  MAYNARD,  First  Lieutenant,  January  31,  1865;  mus 
tered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

JOSEPH  BARTLETT,  First  Lieutenant,  January  31,  1865;  promoted 
to  Captain,  July  13,  1865;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
Promoted  from  the  ranks. 


264      SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

GEORGE  W.  HALEY,  First  Lieutenant,  March  14,  1865;  mustered  out 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

THEODORE  HARTER,  First  Lieutenant,  March  14,  1865;  mustered 
out  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

CHAUXCEY  C.  RUMILL,  First  Lieutenant,  June  29,  1865;  mustered 
out  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

WILLIAM  H.  BRACKETT,  First  Lieutenant,  July  6,  1865;  mustered 
out  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

HARVEY  C.  TAFF,  First  Lieutenant,  July  12,  1865;  mustered  out  at 
the  close  of  the  war.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

JAMES  G.  FOOT,  First  Lieutenant,  July,  12,  1865;  mustered  out  at  the 
close  of  CTie  war.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

MELVILL  ERWIN,  First  Lieutenant,  August  19,  1865. 

ELIAS  A.  FISH,  Second  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  promoted  to 
Captain,  July  19,  1802;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Cliapin's  Farm, 
Va.,  September,  29,  1864.  Died  from  wounds  received  in  action. 

MARTIN  J.  DE  FOREST,  Second  Lieutenant,  February  19, 1862;  pro 
moted  to  First  Lieutenant,  October  22,  1862,  to  Captain,  Decem 
ber  24,  1803;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3, 
1804  ;  discharged  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action;  appointed 
S<von<l  Lieutenant  in  the  Third  Veteran  Reserve  Corps;  originally 
enlisted  as  a.  private  in  the  Twenty-Fifth  N.  Y.  S.  M.,  and  was  in 
srr\ice  three  months;  afterward  enlisted  in  the  Eighty -First  Regi 
ment,  and  was  promoted  from  the  ranks. 

1  JKN.I  A  M I N  K  WOOD,  Second  Lieutenant,  February  19, 1862 ;  resigned. 
Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

RODOLPHUS  D.  S.  TYLER,  Second  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862; 
promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  July  19,  1862,  to  Captain,  August 
27,  1802;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3,  1864; 
discharged  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

SETII  J.  STEVES,  Second  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  resigned. 
Promoted  from  the  ranks. 


t 
SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  265 

DANIEL  C.  RIX,  Second  Lieutenant,  July  19,  1862;  promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant,  July  19,  1862,  to  Captain,  August  24,  1863;  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  September  29,  1864;  his  body  was 
sent  home. 

HENRY  H.  HAMILTON,  Second  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862; 
resigned. 

PETER  FRENCH,  Second  Lieutenant,  February  19,  1862;  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  October  22,  1862 ;  afterward  promoted  to  Major 
in  the New  York  Volunteers.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

LAWRENCE  J.  STEELE,  Second  Lieutenant,  February  22,  1862, 
dismissed  from  the  service.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

EDGAR  ABEEL,  Second  Lieutenant,  June  24,  1862  ;  promoted  to  Cap 
tain  in  the  Twenty-First  United  States  Colored  Troops.  Promoted 
from  Sergeant. 

R.  H.  EDDY,  Second  Lieutenant,  June  24,  1862 ;  mustered  out. 

BENJAMIN  W.  RICHARDSON,  Second  Lieutenant,  July  19,  1862; 
promoted  to  Captain,  October  22,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3,  1864 ;  discharged  on  account  of  wounds 
received  in  action.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

JOHN  T.  DE  FOREST,  Second  Lieutenant,  July  19,  1862;  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  February  1Y,  1863,  to  Captain,  June  13,  1863  ; 
discharged  on  account  of  physical  disability,  incurred  in  the  service . 
died  May  25,.  1866.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

HENRY  SHARP,  Second  Lieutenant,  July  19,  1862;  promoted  to  Cap 
tain  in  the  Twenty-First  United  States  Colored  Trorps.  Promoted 
from  Sergeant. 

R.  HERBERT  WILLOUGHBY,  Second  Lieutenant,  July  19,  1862; 
promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  October  22,  1862;  promoted  to  Major 
in  the  Twenty-First  United  States  Colored  Troops.  Promoted  from 
Sergeant. 

J.  EDMOND  MALETTE,  Second  Lieutenant,  October  21,  1862;  pro 
moted  to  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant,  December  24,  1863 ;  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3,  1864;  dis. 
charged  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action.  Promoted  from 
Sergeant. 

23 


266  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

LEWIS  B.  PORTER,  Second  Lieutenant,  October  21,  1862;  promoted 
to  Captain,  July  8,  1864;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chapin's  Farm, 
Va.,  September  29,  1864;  died  from  wounds  received  in  action. 
Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

BRANTLE  G.  REED,  Second  Lieutenant,  October  21,  1862;  promoted 
to  Captain  in  the  Twenty-First  United  States  Colored  Troops.  Pro 
moted  from  the  ranks. 

EDWARD  D.  COOK,  Second  Lieutenant,  October  21,  1862;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  1864;  resigned.  Promoted 
from  Sergeant. 

NEWTON  H.  GILBERT,  Second  Lieutenant,  October  22,  1862 ;  resigned. 
Promoted  from  Commissary  Sergeant. 

JAMES  L.  BELDEN,  Second  Lieutenant,  October  22,  1862;  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  February  17,  1863;  resigned.  Promoted  from 
Sergeant  Major. 

EDWARD  A.  STIMSON,  Second  Lieutenant,  October  24,  1862;  pro 
moted  to  First  Lieutenant,  April  2,  1864,  to  Captain,  June  28, 
1864,  to  M^or,  December  7,  1864;  mustered  out  at  the  expiration 
of  term  of  service.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

GEORGE  C.  SMITH,  Second  Lieutenant,  February  17,  1863 ;  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  June  13,  1863,  to  Cap  tain,  November  19,  1864; 
mustered  out  at  expiration  of  term  of  service.  Promoted  from 
Sergeant. 

SAMUEL  DOLBIER,  Second  Lieutenant,  February  17,  1863;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  September  29,  1864;  died 
from  wounds  received  in  action.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

MAURICE  P.  TIDD,  Second  Lieutenant,  June  13,  1863;  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3,  1864;  promoted  to  Cap 
tain,  November  19,  1864;  mustered  out  at  expiration  of  term  of 
service.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

SQUIRE  M.  TUTTLE,  Second  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1863;  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  September  29,  1864.  Pro 
moted  from  Sergeant. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.      267 

• 

JULIUS  H.  CLARK,  Second  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1863;  pro 
moted  to  First  Lieutenant,  December  24,  1863.,  to  Captain,  Sep 
tember  16,  1864;  resigned.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

JOHN  J.  WHITNEY,  Second  Lieutenant,  December  19,  1863;  pro 
moted  to  First  Lieutenant,  November  19,  1864,  to  Captain,  Decem 
ber  Y,  1864;  discharged.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

JEFFERSON  W.  BROCKWAY,  Second  Lieutenant,  September  6,  1863  ; 
resigned.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

J.  MORTIMER  BAXTER,  Second  Lieutenant,  December  24,  1863 ; 
promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  December  30,  1863  ;  resigned.  Pro 
moted  from,  the  ranks. 

ALBION  P.  MARTIN,  Second  Lieutenant,  Februaay  12,  1864;  pro 
moted  to  First  Lieutenant,  June  21,  1864,  to  Captain,  November 

11,  1864;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chapin's  Farm,  September  29, 
1864;  discharged  *on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action.     Pro 
moted  from  the  ranks. 

AMOS  M.  COPELAND,  Second  Lieutenant,  March  2,  1864 ;  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  December  7,  1864 ;  died  from  wounds  received 
at  the  battle  of  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  September  29,  1864.  Pro 
moted  from  Sergeant. 

DRAYSON  FORDRED,  Second  Lieutenant,  April  9,  1864;  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  June  3, 1864 ;  his  body  was  left  on  the  field. 
Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

^LUCIUS  V.  S.  MATTISON,  Second  Lieutenant,  July  9,  1864;  pro 
moted  to  First  Lieutenant,  November  19,  1864,  to  Captain,  Decem 
ber  1,  1864,  to  Major,  March  7,  1865,  to  Lieutenant  Colonel,  July 

12,  1865 ;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war.     Promoted  from 
Sergeant. 

DAVID  NETHAWAY,  Second  Lieutenant,  July  21,  1864;  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  September  16,  1864;  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  September  29,  1864;  buried  on  the  field. 
Promoted  from  Sergeant. 


268  SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 

JAMES  J.  BUTLER,  Second  Lieutenant,  September  16,  1864  ;  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  November  11,  1864,  to  Captain,  January 
31,  1865;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Promoted  from 
Drum  Major. 

SAMUEL  WILSON",  Second  Lieutenant,  September  16,  1864;  mustered 
out  at  expiration  of  term  of  service.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

WILLIAM  APPLEBY,  Second  Lieutenant,  September  16,  1864;  pro 
moted  to  First  Lieutenant,  November  19,  1864,  to  Captain,  January 
31,  1865  ;  mustered  out  at  expiration  of  term  of  service.  Promoted 
from  the  ranks. 

JOSEPH  M.  HALL,  Second  Lieutenant,  November  15,  1864;  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  December  1,  1864,  to  Captain,  March  14, 1865; 
mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

JAMES  H.  BERRY,  Second  Lieutenant,  December  19,  1864;  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  May  31,  1865;  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the 
war.  Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

GEORGE  WART,  Second  Lieutenant,  December  24,  1864. 

JOHN  F.  YOUNGS,  Second  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1865;  mustered 
out  at  expiration  of  term  of  service.  Promoted  from  Quarter 
master's  Sergeant. 

WILLIAM  II.  HORTON,  Second  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1865;  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3,  1864;  dis 
charged  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action.  Promoted  from 
Sergeant. 

FREDERICK  ENGLEMAN,  Second  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1865. 
Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

JOHN  KING,  Second  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1865;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  2,  1864;  discharged  on  account 
of  wounds  received  in  action.  Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

RILEY  WORMER,  Second  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1865;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  May  31,  1862,  also  at  Drury's  Bluff,  May 
15,  1864,  and  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.  June  3,  1864.  Promoted  from 
Sergeant. 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT.  269 

JEDEDIAH  GREGWARE,  Second  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1865; 

mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war.     Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

n 

EDWARD  TAYLOR,   Second  Lieutenant,   November  30,  1865;  mus- 
te^pl  out  at  the  close  of  the  war.     Promoted  from  the  ranks. 

JOSEPH  B.  STANTON,  Second  Lieutenant,  November  30,  1865;  mus 
tered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war.     Promoted  from  Sergeant. 

NICHOLAS   F.    GREEN,    Secoftd    Lieutenant,  November    30,    1865; 
mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war.     Promoted  from  the  ranks. 


REGIMENTAL  ROSTER. 


THE  following  presents  a  complete  Roster  of  the  Field,  Staff,  and 
Line  Officers  of  the  Eighty-First  Regiment  New  York  State  Volunteer 
Infantry,  (Second  Oswego  Regiment,)  after  its  consolidation  with  the 
Mohawk  Rifle  Regiment,  on  the  10th  day  of  February,  1862,  and  as  it 
left  the  Barracks,  at  Albany,  for  the  seat  of  war,  on  the  21st  day  of 
February  following.  Also,  a  complete  Roster  of  all  the  enlisted  men 
that  ever  belonged  to  the  Regiment,  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained  from 
the  muster  rolls  and  enlistment  papers  now  on  file  in  the  Adjutant 
General's  office.  It  is  stated  that  some  mustering  officers  neglected  to 
forward  their  muster  rolls,  and  did  not  make  returns  to  this  office,  as 
they  should  have  done.  In  case  any  names  of  enlisted  men  who  belonged 
to  the  Regiment  should  not  appear  on  this  Roster,  the  above,  it  is  hoped, 
will  be  a  sufficient  explanation  for  such  omissions.  It  has  been  the 
Author's  desire  to  furnish  a  complete  muster  roll  of  the  officers  and 
men,  to  be  engrossed  in  the  History  of  the  Regiment,  on  which  he  has 
spent  much  time  in  research. 

Non-commissioned  Staff,  Musicians,  Sergeants  and  Corporals  will  be 
found  under  their  respective  heads,  as  far  as  the  records  show,  and  the 
Privates  in  alphabetical  order :  • 

*23 


270 


SECOND  OSWEGO  KEGIMEXT. 


Field  and  Staf  Officers. 

COLONEL— EDWIN  ROSE. 

LIEUTENANT  COLONEL— JACOB  J.  DE  FOREST.        ^ 

MAJOR— JOHN  McAMBLY. 

ADJUTANT— EDWARD  S.  COOK. 

QUARTERMASTER— ROGER  A.  FRANCIS. 

SURGEON— WILLIAM  H.  RICE. 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON— CARRRINGToltf  McFARLANE. 

CHAPLAIN— DAVID  McFARLAND. 


Line  Officers. 

COMPANY  A.  COMPANY  F. 

WILLIAM  C.  RAULSTON,  Captain.       T.  DWIGHT  STOW,  Captain. 
HAMILTON  LITTLEFELD,  JR.,  1st  Lt.  EDWARD  S.  COOK,  1st  Lieut. 
ELIAS  A.  FISH,  2d  Lieut.  D.  C.  Rix,  2d  Lieut. 


COMPANY  B. 

AUGUSTUS  G.  BENNETT,  Captain. 
HUGH  ANDERSON,  1st  Lieut. 
MARTIN  J.  DE  FOREST,  2d  Lieut. 

COMPANY  C. 
FRANKLIN  HANNAHS,  Captain. 
ORIN  J.  FITCH,  1st  Lieut. 
SETH  J.  STEVES,  2d  Lieut. 

COMPANY  D. 

LEVERETT  D.  ADKINS,  Captain. 
JOHN  G.  PHILLIPS,  1st  Lieut. 
R.  D.  S.  TYLER,  2d  Lieut. 

COMPANY  E. 

LYMAN  M.  KINGMAN,  Captain. 
W.  C.  NEWBERRY,  1st  Lieut. 
D.  G.  HARRIS,  2d  Lieut. 


COMPANY  G. 

HENRY  C.  THOMPSON,  Captain. 
HENRY  H.  HAMILTON,  1st  Lieut. 
WILLIAM  F.  GREEN,  2d  Lieut. 

COMPANY  H. 
JOHN  B.  RAULSTON,  Captain. 
JOHN  W.  OLIVER,  1st  Lieut. 
PETER  FRENCH,  2d  Lieut. 

COMPANY  I. 
D.  B.  WHITE,  Captain. 
WILLARD  W.  BALLARD,  1st  Lieut. 
B.  F.  WOOD,  2d  Lieut. 

COMPANY  K. 
J.  DORMAN  STEELE,  Captain. 
GEO.  W.  BERRIMAN,  1st  Lieut. 
LAWRENCE  J.  STEKLE,  2d  Lieut, 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


271 


Non- Commissioned  Officers. 

STAFF. 

JAMES  L.  BELDEN,  Sergt.  Major        JOHN  F.  YOUNGS,  Q.  M.  Sergt. 
NEWELL  II.  GILBERT,  Com.  Sergt.    CHARLES  S.  HART,  Hosp.  Steward. 
WILLIAM  S.  WINTERS,  Drum  Major. 


SEEGEANTS. 


Amos  Copeland, 
William  Anthony, 
John  Boigal, 
George  P.  Ilolley, 
William  F.  Morrell,     • 
William  Moore, 
Gilbert  Stewart, 
J.  Edmond  Mallett, 
John  Wilson, 
William  S.  Bennett, 
John  H.  Oilman, 
Elijah  S.  Curry, 
James  Crolins, 
Lewis  B.  Porter, 
Maurice  P.  Tidd, 
Lucius  V.  S.  Mattison, 
Edwin  C.  Kuowlton, 
George  C.  Smith, 
Frederick  Brehstett, 
William  II.  Horton, 
Nelson  C.  Spencer, 
Samuel  Wilson, 
Jared  L.  Shepard, 
Edward  Chappel, 
James  Crumley, 


Lafayette  Hanchett, 
John  Willis, 
Louis  N.  Holden, 
Elijah  B.  Payne, 
Samuel  Dolbier, 
Philip  Ostrander, 
Mont  Pel  ton, 
Edward  A.  Blakely, 
John  H.  V.  Gilman, 
Albert  Bloodgood, 
Kiley  Wormer, 
Alex.  Gould, 
Edward  A.  Stimson, 
Seward  Zimmerman, 
Joseph  V.  Perkins, 
John  J.  Whitney, 
Nicholas  Miltz, 
Joseph  Gregoir, 
Joseph  Danquier, 
Jedediah  Gregoir, 
R.  H.  Willoughby, 
Edwin  Malony, 
Edwin  Slack, 
Miles  Sullivan, 
David  Nethaway, 


272 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


MUSICANS. 


Lewis  B.  Boaner, 
Simeon  J.  Vandish, 
Henry  S.  Hunt, 
Earliest  Shalkenbeck, 
WillVed  M.  Chappel, 
Robert  McCulley, 
Richard  Chester, 
"\Villiam  C.  Hinman, 
Charles  H.  Fordham, 
Cassius  W.  Newton, 


Jonas  Slauson, 
Charles  Bechstadt, 
Samuel  Durant, 
William  Williams, 
George  W.  Warren, 
Charles  A.  Taylor, 
Albert  Wells, 
Willis  Van  Buren, 
George  P.  Coats, 
Paul  Shalkenback. 


CORPORALS. 


Nicholas  Mily, 
Vandusen  D.  Babcock, 
Lewis  Young, 
Frederick  Beckstedt 
George  C.  Sole, 
Alexander  Champang, 
John  Labare, 
Joseph  Dauker, 
Robert  Durantr 
Earl  Prowty, 
William  Van  Wagenham, 
Alonzo  H.  Youman, 
James  A.  Havens, 
Hezekiah  Allen, 
Albert  Dewey, 
James  Robinson, 
Joseph  Albring, 
Michael  Halley, 
William  Appleby, 
Joseph  H.  Stanton, 
Lumau  Knapp, 
Joseph  Monette, 


William  P.  Babcock, 
William  Bracket, 
Chauncey  C.  Rumill, 
Eben  L.  Hill, 
Martin  Chesbro, 
Benjamin  Titus, 
William  Brown, 
Charles  F.  Burleigh, 
Edwin  B.  Mason, 
Leon  Tilton, 
William  E.  Dunham, 
Isaac  Bunn, 
Edward  Bum, 
William  H.  Howe, 
Henry  M.  Johnson, 
Stephen  Wynans, 
Henry  Wormer, 
Ira  Hills, 

James  H.  Cooper, 
Mathias  Zingler, 
Elias  B.  Wrightman, 
Waterman  B.  Reynolds, 


SECOND  OSWEGO  KEGIMENT. 


273 


Gt*>rge  R.  Snow, 
Otis  Minor, 
Levi  Blair 
Thomas  Lawton, 
George  E.  Darling, 
William  G.  Angell, 
Franklin  Edic, 
Freeman  Miner, 
Chavles  A.  Redfield, 
William  M.  Sutton, 
James  G.  Foot, 


James  Anderson, 
John  Labere, 
Joseph  G.  Perkins, 
Isaac  E.  West, 
Authur  Yeomans, 
Christopher  F.  Hoey, 
M.  S.  Moses, 
Charles  W.  Patrick,  Jr., 
David  Sears, 
James  II.  Wade. 


Privates. 


Anthony,  Edwin  J., 
Abbott,  Orsin, 
Adams,  William, 
Arlen,  Alonzo, 
Aylsworth,  Ervin  G., 
Aggs,  William, 
Abbott,  Hewellgan, 
Aylwood,  Philip, 
Allen,  John  T., 
Austin,  Daniel  H., 
Anthony,  George  A., 
Austin,  John  W., 
Auringer,  Lewis, 
Allen,  Joseph  W.  S., 
Allen,  Henry, 
Aldrich,  David, 
Anderson,  A.  W., 
Archer,  Robert, 
Berton,  John  W., 
Burnham,  Charles  H., 
Bracy,  Hi  nun, 
Benson,  Samuel, 


Burt,  Lawrence  B. 
Barnes,  William  H., 
Bass,  Charles, 
Brown,  William, 
Bigley,  Michael, 
Bennett,  Charles, 
Biglow,  John, 
Buford,  French, 
Buckingham,  Arthur, 
Biron,  John,  . 

Bulock,  Benjamin, 
Button,  Charles, 
Burns,  Ward  A., 
Branshaw,  Charles, 
Borden,  Lorenzo  N., 
Blair,  William, 
Boucher,  Jeff., 
Boland,  John, 
Bownes,  Elijah, 
Bronshott,  Charles, 
Bates,  Nelson  D. 
Bridges,  Thomas  C., 


274 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


Beers,  Charles  E., 
Brown,  Allen,  G.  P., 
Boothe,  Henry, 
Bookman,  Morris, 
Brinnan,  John, 
Blackmail,  Dennis, 
Burt,  George  W., 
Barnes,  Lorenzo, 
Brown,  Francis  G., 
Barnard,  Adelbert, 
Brown,  Charles, 
Bishop,  William, 
Brown,  Anson  H., 
Blosier,  William, 
Bright,  John  W.. 
Burnside,  William, 
Burch,  Walter  N. 
Brink,  Cicero, 
Bbhop,  Serens  L., 
Brown,  Wm.  W., 
Banks,  Horatio, 
Braya,  Samuel  L., 
Beaumond,  Porter  W., 
Beeles,  Sanford, 
*      Bacon^  Lester, 
Bunn,  Caspar, 
Becker,  Daniel  E., 
Burns,  John, 
Burrows,  Edward, 
Bishop,  John  T., 
Beach,  William, 
Babcock,  Gilbert  B.f 
Bell,  George, 
Boyne,  Andrew  B., 
Burt,  John  W., 
Brower,  Ezra, 
Bruen,  George, 


Benjamin,  Oscar  A., 
Berry,  James  H., 
Baxter,  J.  Mortimer, 
Burnett,  Joseph  I. 
Bootle,  William  W., 
Burnett,  Orvis  E., 
Brock  way,  Jefferson  W., 
Burt,  Charles, 
Bailey,  Norman  B., 
Brooks,  George  M., 
Billard,  Jules  F., 
Bartlett,  Devolson, 
Butler,  James  J., 
Brown,  William, 
Brown,  John, 
Brown,  Thomas, 
Burns,  James, 
Benny,  Jaint's, 
Burbanks,  William  H., 
Barry,  James, 
Badgley,  Jeremiah  A., 
B;illard,  Hiram  P., 
Benedic,  Francis, 
Bailey,  William  H., 
Brewster,  David, 
Brewster,  Daniel  D., 
Boynton,  John  W., 
Bone,  John  J., 
Bone,  Joseph  F., 
Bacon,  James  H., 
Ballard,  Martin, 
Beech,  Charles, 
Buckhart,  James, 
Badgley,  Alfred, 
Button,  Warren  K.    . 
Benches,  Jeffers, 
Buck,  Albeit, 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT., 


275 


Bonner,  Ephraim, 
Broan,  George  A., 
Bailey,  Marshall, 
Ballard,  Eugene  L., 
Button,  Henry, 
Barker,  Harvey, 
Brown,  George, 
Biggs,  John,     r 
Birch,  John, 
Braley,  James, 
Best,  William, 
Bradt,  Fred.  H., 
Burns,  Patrick, 
Bigley,  Michael, 
Bellarra,  Lewis, 
Becroft,  Francis  F., 
Borhans,  Lewis, 
Baup,  William, 
Blowers,  John, 
Bradon,  William, 
Bump,  J., 
Bartlett,  Joseph, 
Baker,  Ebenezer, 
Ballard,  Willard  W., 
Ballard,  Benjamin, 
Ballard,  Martin, 
Baker,  Ely  E., 
Byam,  Charles, 
Benjamin,  Amos  A., 
Barnhard,  Earnest, 
Coon,  Francis, 
Coffinger,  Francis  J., 
Clouse,  John, 
Conrad,  Joseph, 
Casten,  William, 
Coon,  David, 
Cady,  Lucius  H., 


Charnick,  George^ 
Carpenter,  Charles, 
Colby,  Ernest  B., 
Coon,  Oscar, 
Carpenter,  James  M., 
Champang,  John, 
Ghanteau,  Gloud, 
Comstock,  William, 
Cross,  Charles  J., 
Culen,  James, 
Coroy,  Peter, 
Coffinger,  Higgins, 
Culver,  William  0., 
Churchill,  William  T. 
Cunningham,  Andrew, 
Cook,  Ziba, 
Chase,  Rensford, 
Clark,  Patrick, 
Crosier,  David, 
Cook,  George  W., 
Chappel,  Wilfred  M., 
Chapin,  Judson, 
Crumb,  George  W., 
Coe,  Jerome  H., 
Clifford,  James, 
Calkins,  D.  C., 
Cole,  Francis  M., 
Coy,  Roswell, 
Chapel,  William, 
Chapel,  Dyer, 
Gary,  Norton, 
Carr,  William, 
Conklin,  Caleb  H., 
Coats^  George  P., 
Converse,  Jerome, 
Clark,  Isaac  H., 
Clark,  John, 


276 


.SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


Cole,  Ira,  . 
Calahan,  James, 
Collins,  George  W., 
Conklin,  Alferd  S. 
Collett,  William  H., 
Cook,  Edward  D., 
Govern,  John, 
Champion,  Pqter, 
Cooper,  James  C., 
Crawford,  John  B., 
Colburn,  Henry  C., 
Cornish,  George  T., 
Cradell,  Benjamin, 
Colins,  Thomas  II., 
Crane,  Eli  B., 
Coger,  Charles  C., 
Chapell,  Eugene, 
Crocker,  Adelbert, 
Conradt,  Nicholas, 
Cornwall,  William  G., 
Cook,  James, 
Cook,  George  A., 
Cameron,  Augustus, 
Cresier,  David  H., 
Cornwall,  William  G., 
Cornwall,  William, 
Coy,  Henry,.  W., 
Conrad,  Nicholas  W., 
Corkins,  Gillett, 
Carwell,  Thomas, 
Carty,  George,  W. 
Cheadel,  Rufus  K., 
Cook,  James, 
Cook,  George  A,, 
Chapson,  Alexander, 
Conklin,  George  W., 
Campbell,  Van  Buran, 


Carroll,  Thomas, 
Corcoran,  James, 
Cumming?,  John, 
Conway,  John, 
Campbell,  Timothy, 
Cornish,  George  T., 
Cheesman,  William  J. 
Churchill,  William  H., 
Cusker,  John  M., 
Covall,  Charles  C., 
Cook,  Chasper  I., 
Crawford,  John  B., 
Coonradt,  Thomas, 
Crowley,  Timothy, 
Culver,  Milton  II., 
Colborn,  Henry  C., 
Coonradt,  Philip  A., 
Drew,  Jacob  W., 
Dunlop,  Henry, 
Darling,  Benjamin, 
Dooris,  Alexander, 
Darling,  Ezra, 
Darling,  George  E., 
De  Forest,  M.  J., 
De  Lancy,  James, 
Darling,  John, 
Drake,  Chestin, 
Davids,  Charles, 
Dibble,  Asel, 
Daly,  John, 
Decutah,  Areull, 
David,  Edward  A., 
Davis,  Ebenezer, 
Duel,  Eben, 
Dikeman,  Edward, 
Dunn,  Hugh, 
Daily,  John, 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


277 


Dubois,  Henry  D., 
Dubois,  George, 
Davis,  Napoleon  B., 
Disbrow,  Benjamin  F., 
Davis,  George, 
Delancy,  Theodore, 
Dunn,  John, 
Doolittle,  James  A.t 
Dunsmore,  Deloss, 
Dalby,  Joseph, 
Den  ess,  John, 
Dunham,  Samuel  W., 
Dodge,  Milton, 
Devoe,  Martin, 
Dines  Norwood  R., 
Dines,  James, 
Danforth,  Mathew, 
De  Forest,  John  T., 
Decory,  Septua, 
Danforth,  William, 
Davis,  David  A.,      . 
Dewey,  Franklin  W., 
De  Clercy,  Charles, 
Dimond,  Nathan, 
Dean,  Nathan, 
Duly,  Joshua, 
Drein,  John, 
Dolby,  Moses, 
Diss,  Leger  Jim, 
Dillon,  Michael, 
Drake,  David, 
Denson,  Charles, 
Dalton,  James, 
Doty,  Newell, 
Dunlop,  George, 
Dennce,  Robert  S., 
Dumble,  Albert, 


Dawley,  Samuel  E., 
Dawson,  William, 
Duglas,  George, 
Desmond,  John, 
Dooley,  David, 
Davis,  Charles, 
Davis,  Edward  A., 
Dawson,  Thomas, 
Dugert,  William  M., 
Dunn,  Charles, 
Davis,  John  T., 
Drake,  C.  A. 
Dunbar,  Delaney, 
Dormer,  Henry, 
Davis,  John  C., 
Duffy,  James, 
<Daniels,  James  A., 
Davenp^t,  Isaac, 
Derby,  ffanklin  M., 
Duel  Harrison, 
Emlen,  Nelson, 
Ellis,  Russel, 
Ensworth,  Horace  B., 
Egleston,  Edward, 
Eason,  Charles  G., 
Ernst,  Herman, 
Estman,  Edwin, 
Evrts,  Edwin, 
Elsie,  John, 
Enslow,  Charles  W., 
Ellsworth,  Robert  M., 
Edwards,  Benjamin  W., 
Edwards,  H.  Edwin, 
Echuerd,  Hugh  R., 
Este,  Alfred  A., 
Edwards,  E., 
Edie,  Charles  J., 


24 


278 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


Edwards,  Hugh, 
Evans,  Thomas  J., 
Evaus,  Richard, 
English,  James, 
Ecker,  William  W., 
Farr,  George  R., 
Fitzgerald,  James, 
Freeman,  Milton, 
Finyland,  George, 
Fenton,  John, 
Foster,  Harmon, 
Fagan,  Thomas 
Francis,  John  W., 
Ford,  Charles  H., 
Fish,  Orin  S., 
Flowers,  Marshall  A., 
Fisher,  Jacob  E., 
Featherly,  John,    £ 
Fuller,  James  M., 
Fuller,  George, 
Fleming,  William  R., 
Fagan,  Michael, 
Farley,  George, 
Fay,  David  H., 
Fisk,  George  II., 
Filer,  George, 
Foster,  William  D., 
Foreman,  William, 
Fordham,  Charles  H., 
Ferguson,  William  J., 
Fitzgibbon,  Patrick, 
Fry,  John  S., 
Farrar,  Adam  H., 
Fry,  William, 
Ferris,  Dorance, 
Fero,  George, 
Furgeson,  Abram  A., 


Fordred,  Drayson, 
Fordred,  William  Jr., 
Featherly,  Charles, 
Featherly,  David, 
Fitzgerald,  John, 
Featherly,  Henry, 
Ferguson,  Allen  I., 
Frederick  Newman, 
Francis,  John  W., 
Furnia,  Peter, 
Featherly,  George, 
Fitch,  B.  J., 
Fellori,  Edward, 
Fitch,  Orin  J., 
Fitzgerald,  Michael  W., 
Foster,  Antrim, 
Foster,  Harrison  H., 
Ferguson,  William  J., 
Francisco,  Peter  J., 
Griffiths,  John  E., 
Griffith,  David  R. 
Godden,  George, 
Greens,  Wesley, 
Gotham,  Oscar, 
Greenia,  F.  H., 
Green,  John  C., 
Greek,  James, 
Green,  Hiram  J., 
George,  J., 
Gilchrist,  George, 
Green,  Nicholas  F., 
Gem,  George, 
Green,  Simon  P.  P., 
Green,  Charles  E., 
Gardener,  Benjamin  Jr., 
Gage,  Daniel  G., 
Graves,  Francis  P., 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


279 


Graves,  W.  C., 
Green,  James  R., 
Gough,  John  D., 
Grotus,  Lewis  J., 
Graves,  James 
Graves,  Maurice  A., 
Gear,  Clem, 
Guiltbil,  William, 
Gilbert,  William, 
Gary,  Frank, 
Gumm,  Peter, 
Gayer,  C., 
Gray,  John, 
Guile,  Daniel, 
Goit,  James  A., 
Graves,  A.  S., 
Griggs,  George  G., 
Guile,  Orson, 
Goodwin,  Charles  H.f 
Garnett,  John, 
Gregoire,  Joseph, 
Gilbert,  William, 
Gang,  Frank, 
Gregoir,  Jedediah, 
Gilman,  John  H., 
Gilman,  Levi  L., 
Galigar,  Patric, 
Gould,  Joseph, 
Gordon,  John, 
Gordon,  Abram, 
Gill,  Frank, 
Glood,  David, 
Gifford,  Arthur, 
Green,  Luther, 
Gates,  George  W., 
Glood,  Joseph, 
Geer,  Elias, 


Gordon,  Morris,  T., 
Gard,  James, 
Gray,  Charles, 
Gray,  Frederick, 
Griffeu,  William, 
Greenwood,  Lewis, 
Green,  William, 
Geisel,  Ludwig, 
Garner,  Henry, 
Gordon,  George, 
Gonion,  Peter, 
Gaylord,  Perley  M., 
Holly,  Charles  H., 
Hubbard,  Alvin, 
Hackett,  Charles  E., 
Harvey,  John, 
Hughes,  Thomas, 
Harvey,  Michael, 
Huttoo,  Neil, 
Horton,  William, 
Hagenbouch,  Aug., 
Hines,  Joseph, 
Hammel,  Henry, 
Hagerty,  John, 
Holiday,  Levi  F., 
Happ,  George  I., 
Harrigan,  Jeremiah, 
Hager,  Joseph, 
Hesson,  James, 
Hunt,  John, 
Hughes,  Joseph, 
Huson,  Leonard, 
Hoag,  George  A., 
Hewitt,  Adam, 
Hill,  Charles  E., 
Hannum,  Warren  D., 
Hall,  Joseph  M. 


280 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


Hulbert,  Alonzo, 
Ilovey,  Oliver, 
Harrigan,  John, 
Ilutchinson,  John, 
Heenan,  John, 
Hainlin,  John, 
Mndrelet,  Joseph, 
Hutchens,  George, 
Harp,  Allen, 
Huguin,  John  S., 
Holiday,  Ruben, 
Hoose,  James, 
Hinman,  Jacob, 
Hawley,  William, 
Hand,  Thomas, 
Hines,  Edmund  V., 
Hindman,  Jacob, 
Haley,  George, 
Hill,  Henry, 
Hathway,  Daniel, 
Hyatt,  Willet  L., 
Hard  castle,  Samuel  E., 
Holmes,  David, 
Hydom,  Philip, 
Hydom,  James  H., 
Ilanigan,  John, 
Hadlow,  Henry, 
Havens,  Charles  0., 
Halsey,  Jesse  C., 
Hinman,  William  C., 
Heudryt,  Lemuel  C., 
Hills,  Benjanin, 
Ho  well,  Orlando  J., 
Howell,  James  S., 
Horter,  Theodore, 
House,  George, 
Holt,  George  S., 


Hammersly,  Thomas, 
Hubbard,  Heman  A., 
Hills,  Clark  J., 
Harmon,  Decatur, 
Hubbard,  Willard, 
Hardendorf,  Myron  E., 
Howell,  Robert, 
Hoisted,  Cassius  C., 
Hurd,  William, 
Humphrey,  Edward, 
Hagener,  Theodore, 
Hermance,  W., 
Hillman,  Shadrack, 
Hawks,  John, 
Hardy,  Henry  R., 
Hallock,  James, 
Hubbard,  E.,  G., 
Holang,  Perry, 
Ilowland,  Edson, 
Hall,  William  H., 
Higgins,  Thomas, 
Hurd,  W.  W., 
Hall,  Charles  C., 
Hall,  Arthur  L., 
Hayes,  Charles  B., 
Hall,  Luther, 
Hermans,  Alfred  S., 
Hyde,  Henry  J., 
Harris,  Charles  E., 
Hubbard,  Herman, 
Humaston,  George, 
Hummel,  Windsalyin, 
Hamilton,  John, 
Harin,  John  F., 
Hone,  Edgar, 
Hone,  James, 
Hone,  W.  H., 


.     SECOND  OSWEGO  KEGIMENT. 


281 


Eemstreet,  John  J., 
Hemstreet,  Ebenezer, 
Holleubeck,  Jooper, 
Hounds,  Franklin, 
Hall,  Wilber  F., 
Hitchcock,  Joseph, 
Hyde,  Charles  E., 
Barter,  Theodore, 
Hoke,  Mathias, 
Hoose,  George, 
Hoy,  James, 
Hyer,  Frederick, 
Jackett,  Alexander, 
Jones,  Joseph, 
Johnson,  William  G., 
Jackson,  James  S., 
Jones,  Charles  H., 
Johnson,  Frederick  D., 
Jeffries,  John, 
Jewett,  Melun  E., 
Jacobs,  John  E., 
Jackett,  David, 
Johnson,  William, 
Judge,  Patrick, 
Jones,  Charles  H., 
Jones,  John  J., 
Jones,  Thomas  J., 
Jacobs,  George  W., 
James,  Channing,  M., 
James,  A., 
Johnson,  Charles  R., 
Jesse,  John, 
Johnson,  Florence, 
Jones,  Edward,  . 
Jena,  George, 
King,  Joseph, 
Kelly,  Michael, 


Kent,  Robert,  Sen., 
Kent,  Robert,  Jr., 
Kibbe,  Amos  N., 
Kenyon,  Lorenzo  R., 
Knight,  Hiram  J., 
Kingsbury,  John  E., 
Koen,  Charles  H., 
Kenyon,  John  E.t 
Klock,  Harrison, 
Kay,  John  D., 
Ketchum,  Harry, 
King,  Benjamin  F., 
Kinney,  Hanson, 
King,  George, 
Kenyon,  Andrew  F., 
Kenney,  James  M., 
Kimbell,  Edwin, 
Kimline,  Martin, 
Kilburn,  Jacob, 
Knaps,  George  M., 
Kilse,  Abraham, 
Kelly,  John, 
Kent,  James  R., 
Kendall,  Charles  N., 
Kane,  John, 
Keogh,  Henry, 
Kingman,  Lyman  L., 
Knapp,  Luman, 
Kimmey,  Hanson, 
Knight,  Arthur, 
Lovejoy,  Edward  H., 
Lawton,  William  H., 
La  Point,  Valentine, 
Lawton,  Thomas, 
Laland,  Joseph, 
Looker,  Manvill  C. 
Loudin,  Frank, 


24* 


282 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


Leroy,  Louis, 
Lindsley,  Charles  W., 
Looker,  John  W., 
Loungsley,  Charles, 
Leroy,  Frank, 
Lary,  Joseph, 
Lewis,  Charles  S.f 
Lay  ton,  Charles, 
Lynch,  John, 
Low,  James, 
Lacy,  Martin, 
Lord,  Enoch, 
Leonard,  James, 
Lampman,  John  C., 
Liddle,  John, 
Labolt,  Chandler  D., 
Lawrence,  R.  E., 
Lodely,  Ambrose, 
Looker,  Justice, 
Lee,  Frederick, 
Litchfield,  Silas  W., 
Laplant,  Adolphus, 
Leroy,  Simon, 
Long,  Hiram, 
Lovejoy,  John  F., 
Lukentally,  Ira, 
Lyndsay,  William, 
Leffier,  Adolph, 
Letson,  Rhodes, 
Letson,  Isaac  W., 
Letson,  Peleg  C., 
Leroy,  Henry, 
Lewis,  Bartholomew, 
Lewis,  James  C., 
Leary,  George, 
Lnthrop,  Charles  D., 
Love,  William, 


Loper,  Thomas,  S., 
Lawton,  Thomas, 
Labere,  John, 
La  Buff,  Joseph, 
Loftis,  Thomas, 
Morris,  Byron  B., 
McGrath,  James, 
McDonald,  Thomas, 
Moore,  George  F., 
Murray,  James, 
May,  William  H., 
Morrison,  Charles  E., 
Mason,  James, 
Mason,  Marcus, 
Miller,  Horace, 
Miller,  Philip  P., 
Martin,  Albion  P., 
Maurer,  Charles, 
Mauro,  Andrew, 
Mensoy,  Sanford, 
Moses,  M.  S., 
Marble,  Daniel, 
Murphy,  John, 
Murphy,  Jefferson, 
Miles,  Stephen  S., 
McEvoy,  John  J., 
McEvoy,  John  A., 
Myers,  Charles  H., 
McCusker,  - 
Marden,  William, 
Markem,  John, 
Moore,  George  F., 
Mabb,  Charles, 
Max  ton,  George  M., 
Moore,  John, 
McClintock,  George, 
Marshall,  Andrew, 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


283 


McJanner,  II., 
Mattice,  Spencer, 
McGrane,  Henry, 
Maloy,  John, 
Meigs,  Edgar  C., 
Moore,  Charles, 
Myers,  Charles  H., 
Miller,  Smith, 
Murphy,  William  H., 
Mitchell,  Patrick, 
McLaughlin,  Hugh, 
Myers,  John, 
Miller,  Philip  C., 
Murphy,  Thomas, 
McVanner,  Henry  S., 
Moore,  Elijah, 
Mykel,  Stephen, 
Main,  Alonzo  0., 
Mitchell,  William, 
McTye,  Michael, 
Maxen,  Gurden, 
Muroin,  Gorsline, 
McQuinney,  Thomas, 
Miller,  John  F., 
Michael,  Harvey, 
Morton,  William  H., 
Morton,  Daniel, 
Murks,  Ruben, 
Mahoney,  Jerry, 
Mason,  Frederick  R., 
McCoy,  James, 
McCormick,  James, 
McDumor,  William, 
Morrell,  Justin, 
Miner,  Willis  H., 
Miner,  Otis  M., 
McGraw,  James, 


Marshall,  John, 
McLean,  William  F., 
McCatharine,  John, 
Matteson,  Marshall, 
Marsh,  Perry  E., 
Mills,  Samuel  D., 
Matteson,  Charles  E., 
McLean,  James  A., 
McCoy,  Robert, 
Madden,  Daniel, 
Mattison,  Benjamin  F., 
Mattison,  William, 
Martin,  Henry, 
Macomber,  Henry, 
McKoon,  John  E., 
Morton,  Harvey, 
Morrison,  Seth, 
Mosier,  Josiah  W., 
Morgan,  Charles  H., 
Myers,  Peter, 
Merick,  Warner, 
Marshall,  Joseph, 
McAmbly,  Jesse, 
McManus,  Thomas, 
Martin,  Frank, 
Mimmack,  George, 
Miller,  William  E., 
Morris,  Michael, 
McClaggan,  John, 
McDonald,  John, 
Maynard,  Ezra, 
Mead,  Joseph,  • 

Mead,  Sylvester, 
Mitchel,  Edward, 
Mulford,  Charles  J., 
McKerrick,  John, 
Mitchell,  Truman  W., 


284 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


Michere,  John, 
McMillen,  George, 
Marden,  William, 
Newton,  John,  Jr., 
Newton,  Louis  W., 
Noonan,  John, 
Narv,  John, 
Neill,  Thomas,  P., 
Niel,  Michael, 
Nichols,  Samuel, 
Nichols,  James, 
Nearkern,  John, 
Noyes,  William  T., 
Nettleton,  Elisha, 
Nolan,  Patrick, 
Nose,  Charles, 

Nostrant, , 

Nichols,  John  H., 
Northrop,  Remond  L., 
Osborn,  George  W., 
Ormsby,  WTilliam, 
Oswald,  John, 
Owen,  George  Leroy, 
O'Leary,  John, 
O'Briene,  Daniel, 
O'Connell,  George  T., 
Ostrom,  James, 
Osborn,  Charles  L., 
Owens,  John  J., 
O'Neil,  John, 
Prosser,  James, 
Prucellf  Michael, 
Panu'lmrn,  Martin  V.  B., 
Perkins,  Joseph, 
Parker,  Marshall  E., 
Philips,  James  C., 
Place,  Albert, 


Prosser,  Henry, 
Peters,  Myron  C., 
Furdy,  Marshall  D., 
Perry,  Thomas, 
Phillips,  Patrick, 
Parker,  William  I., 
Penfield,  Chester, 
Peck,  Daniel  M., 
Planter,  Stephen, 
Pierce,  Willard, 
Perry,  William, 
Puff,  Francis, 
Pitcher,  Otis, 
Patten,  William  H., 
Patterson,  Ilenry, 
Pluff,  Alex., 
Parkhurst,  William  C., 
Phillips,  Charles  H., 
Premo,  Anthony, 
Phillips,  Benjamin  E., 
Proctor,  Roselee, 
.         Palmer,  John, 
Palmer,  Harvey, 
Pruyn  James  M., 
Phillip,  George  W., 
Pepper,  James, 
Penfield,  James  B., 
Parker,  Horace, 
Page,  Dewitt  C., 
Paine,  Elias  H., 
Payne,  Benjamin, 
Peterson,  John, 
Pierson,  Nathan  H., 
Phillips,  Benjamin  E., 
Perry,  Jacob  I., 
Polly,  Edwin  R., 
Paddock,  William  H., 


SECOND  OSWEGO  EEGIMENT. 


285 


Preston,  Delavan  M., 
Phillips,  Richard, 
Peckham,  William  C., 
Perry,  Paul, 
Patterson,  James, 
Petrie,  Joseph, 
Palmer,  Hiram  J., 
Pollard,  George  H., 
Patterson,  John  E., 
Perry,  Samuel  H., 
Peckham,  James, 
Proctor,  Charles  W., 
Pooler,  Georg^ 
Patterson,  Daniel, 
Phillips,  Henry, 
Paddock,  Richard  J., 
Peckham,  Wells, 
Palter,  Albert, 
Quinlan,  Charles  J,, 
Randall,  Moses, 
Reed,  Charles, 
Reed,  Brantley  G., 
Richardson,  Henry, 
Ravey,  George, 
Rollinson,  Clinton, 
Ramsdell,  Russell, 
Russell,  James  0., 
Robinson,  Fay  C., 
Booker,  Ira, 
Robinson,  George  H., 
Rubert,  Charles, 
Reinhart,  Julius  B.v 
Ross,  Samuel  D., 
Reed,  Giles  B., 
Remington,  Joseph, 
Russell,  Moses, 
Russell,  Levi, 


Rudd,  Alvin  S., 
Ringwood,  Edward, 
Riker,  Charles  E., 
Ryan,  John  P., 
Rodden,  Robert, 
Richards,  Daniel, 
Reheenhart,  Philip, 
Robinson,  Fernando, 
Rogers,  Benjamin  F., 
Rungan,  Lyman, 
Reese,  Ephraim, 
Reese,  William  F., 
Remore,  Andrew  J., 
Rea,  Walter, 
Richards,  John, 
Remore,  John, 
Remore,  Benjamin  F., 
Remore,  Chester  W., 
Richardson,  Ruben  F., 
Rowley,  John  0., 
Rice,  G., 
Roach,  M., 
Reason,  Thomas, 
Rudy,  Nelson, 
Riley,  W.  M.  S., 
Rudy,  William, 
Reney,  John  W., 
Redfield,  Henry  G., 
Roberts,  Edward  P., 
Rudd,  Alonzo  C., 
Reed,  Levi, 
Roch,  Henry, 
Rhady,  Hugh, 
Reynolds,  Henry, 
Rice,  George  C., 
Regan,  Daniel 
Rich,  Adelbert, 


286 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


Rider,  John, 
Rathbone,  Thomas, 
Reese,  Orlando, 
Root,  George, 
Simpson,  James, 
Shugan,  John, 
Stone,  George  H., 
Stafford,  William  F., 
Shaw,  Freeman  F., 
Stone,  George  W., 
Slialkenback,  Paul, 
Simmond,  John, 
Smith,  John  K., 
Sehmeeder,  Sebastian, 
Scranum,  William  H., 
Smith,  Biron  G., 
Sydman,  William, 
Sydinan,  Albert, 
Snow,  George  B., 
Strong,  Joseph, 
Sparks,  Francis  H., 
Sparks,  Benjamin, 
Sha,  David, 
Seymour,  Anthony, 
Steven,  Reuben  C.  A., 
Smith,  James, 
Smith,  John, 
Spencer,  George  0., 
Smith,  George, 
Smith,  William, 
Sprague,  Wells  0., 
Stetham,  Robert  A., 
Sly,  Eli, 
Shepard,  John, 
Scan  Ion,  James, 
Smith,  Thomas  W., 
Smith,  Henry, 


Smith,  Mathew, 
Shafer,  David, 
Strebeck,  William, 
Slialkenback,  Ernest, 
Stackpool,  Patrick, 
Shippy,  John, 
Smith,  William  H., 
Springer,  Aaron  P., 
Shaver,  Jacob, 
Snyder,  George  II., 
Snyder,  Cassius  N., 
Stewart,  William  F., 
Snyder,  Walter, 
Snell,  George  W., 
Stocking,  Charles  A., 
Sanford,  Monroe, 
Spencer,  Seymore, 
Soules,  Perry  W., 
Strutmatter,  Michael, 
Sylvester,  Charles, 
Sully,  James, 
Sheldon,  Curtis  W., 
Smith,  Allen, 
Smith,  William, 
Sampson,  George  Leroy, 
Shean,  William, 
Shaffer,  Abram, 
Sanford,  Henry  H., 
Shay,  William, 
Sherman,  Samuel, 
Sherman,  George  R., 
Stillick,  William, 
Stowell,  Alva, 
Stone,  Charles, 
Smith,  Almon  B., 
Stephenson,  Morris, 
Shell,  David, 


SECOND  OSWEGO  KEGIMENT. 


287 


Sears,  Charles  H., 
Sheldon,  Charles, 
Sherman,  John  A., 
Sieves,  Martin, 
Squires,  Henry, 
Smith,  William  A., 
Samson,  Dexter, 
Smith,  Alonzo, 
Stearns,  Daniel  F., 
Steele,  Lawrence  J., 
Steadman,  George  W., 
Sherman,  John  A., 
Smith,  John, 
Sparks,  Alphonso, 
Satterlee,  Clark  W., 
Smith,  Fayett  W., 
Scott,  John, 
Sherman,  James, 
Sears,  Charles, 
Smith,  Harrison, 
Seymore,  James  D., 
Sexton,  Wells, 
Sexton,  Emory, 
Sanford,  Raphael  G., 
Snow,  Ebenezer  C., 
Sweezey,  Richard  M., 
Sanford,  Charles  G., 
Spencer,  David  W., 
Sisson,  William  H., 
Steeple,  James  B., 
Servis,  Charles, 
Snell,  Orvill  H., 
Stephen,  John, 
Snow,  Elisha, 
Stone,  Celestine, 
Smith,  Bryon,  G., 
Stratton,  Enos  J., 


Smith,  Thomas  A. 
Sartwell,  Irvin, 
Steves,  Seth  J., 
Sizer,  Franklin  J., 
Scheneider,  Albert, 
Sharpie,  John, 
Starkwether,  Meritt, 
Tobin,  James, 
Tygh,  Robert, 
Troy,  Frank, 
Truckey,  Henry, 
•  Trowbridge,  Byron, 
Teller,  Lewis  B., 
Teller,  Isaac  L., 
Turngate,  William, 
Terney,  Andrew, 
Titus,  Peter  B., 
Toomy,  Silvester, 
Terney,  Charles  B., 
Thayer,  Samuel, 
Taylor,  Ansel, 
Taylor,  Andrew  J., 
Trask,  Herman, 
Tripp,  Jeremiah, 
Tillinghast,  Charles  E., 
Tinker,  Charles  W., 
Thompson,  William  C., 
Town,  Chauncey, 
Thayer,  James  J., 
Tschishart,  Theobald, 
Timmerman,  Ransford  C., 
Thomas,  Henry, 
Thompson,  Allen, 
Try  on,  Luke  J., 
Tunbull,  Hugh, 
Todd,  Robert, 
Trotinan,  Joseph, 


288 


SECOND  OSWEGO  KEGIMENT. 


Topping,  Edward, 
Tanney,  David, 
Taylor,  Edward, 
Torr,  James, 
Tuttle,  Chester  B., 
Taff,  Harvey  C., 
Tuttle,  Squire  M., 
Taff,  Rufus, 
Thomas,  John  S., 
Tower,  Chauncey, 
Theall,  John  B., 
Town,  Leverett, 
Thomas,  John  T., 
Thompson,  Oscar, 
Taylor,  Saxton, 
Van  Alstyne,  Walter, 
Van  Patten,  William 
Vanderwarken,  Henry, 
Vermilyea,  Daniel, 
Van  Zandt,  Henry, 
Van  Patten,  Frederick, 
VanBuren,  Willis, 
Vermillia,  Silas, 
Vandercook,  Winslow, 
Vandusen,  James, 
Virginia,  Silas, 
Van  Volkenburgh,  Charles, 
Vorce,  Charles, 
Van  Natter,  Lorenzo, 
Vandee,  Andrew,  Jr., 
Vandusen,  R.  Scott, 
Vank,  Francis, 
Vader,  Bishop, 
Wilson,  William  H., 
Witney,  Adelbert, 
Wilkinson,  George, 
Wilson,  John, 


Wells,  John  P., 
White,  John, 
Wilber,  John, 
Wright,  John  P., 
Walters,  John, 
Walker,  John, 
Wiseman,  Samuel, 
Wilkes,  Charles  H., 
Wright,  James, 
Wooldridge,  Warren, 
Watson,  Riley  S., 
Wilbur,  Christopher, 
Williams,  William, 
Walker,  John, 
Wallace,  Robert  W., 
Weeks,  Joseph, 
Wood,  Mortimer, 
Wornes,  James, 
Whalen,  Andrew, 
Willard,  Samuel, 
Walters,  George, 
Witney,  Alstin  C., 
Weed,  Ira  T., 
Weed,  Fayett,  M., 
Wimple,  John, 
Winn,  John,  P., 
West,  Issac  E., 
Wells,  Henry  C., 
Wells,  William, 
Wimple,  Edward  D., 
Wheeler,  Merten  E., 
Wood,  Elias  A., 
Wheeler,  John  D., 
Woolworth,  William  G., 
Wing,  Henry, 
Wilson,  Charles, 
Washburn,  John  W., 


SECOND  OSWEGO  REGIMENT. 


289 


Wilson,  Richard, 
Wetherly,  Asa  B., 
Warren,  Martin, 
Wolcot,  Henry  R., 
Wilcox,  James  N., 
Warren,  George  G., 
Woodham,  George, 
White,  Otis, 
Worden,  John  W., 
Wells,  Martin  L., 
Wood,  Joseph  L, 
Willson,  Justin, 
Woodward.  Alonzo  G., 
Ward,  Alison, 
Wright,  Martin, 
Wells,  Albert, 
White,  Oscar, 
White,  Frederick  D., 
Wilson,  Joseph, 
Watley,  Joseph, 
Wood,  Henry  L., 
Wood,  Parley. 
Williams,  Patrick, 
Walker,  John  H., 
Whent,  Calvin  J., 
Wright,  Henry  E., 
Wood,  William, 
Wade,  Charles  B., 
Webb,  Job, 
Williams,  Lewis, 
Wattenback,  John, 


Ward,  James, 
Warne,  John, 
Warren,  John, 
Welch,  James, 
Williams,  Henry, 
Wimple,  Charles  T., 
White,  Joseph  C., 
Williams,  George, 
White,  John, 
Wilbur,  John, 
Willson,  R., 
White,  J.  E., 
Winters,  Peter  H., 
White,  Byron  D., 
Wetmore,  Frederick, 
Willard,  Samuel  T., 
Wallace,  Thomas, 
Wood,  William  A., 
Wood,  B.  F., 
White,  David  B., 
Wiggens,  John  H., 
Waters,  Winslow  W., 
Wildy,  Harvey  B., 
Wrightman,  Elias  B., 
Wever,  Michael, 
Wade,  James  H., 
Westcott,  Norm  an, 
Wilcox,  J.  D., 
Witham,  George, 
Williams,  James, 
Whalain,  Andrew. 


25 


A.  I>  I»  END  IX. 


The  following  are  the  proceedings  of  the  Social 
Union  of  the  commissioned  officers  of  the  Eighty-First 
Regiment  New  York  State  Veteran  Volunteer  Infan 
try,  in  camp,  between  Albany  and  Troy,  just  previous 
to  its  disbandment: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  81sT  X.  Y.  S.  V.  V.  I., 

ALBANY,  SEPTEMBER  16,  1865. 

A  meeting  of  the  Officers  and  Ex-Officers  of  the 
Eighty-First  N.  Y.  Veteran  Volunteers,  convened  by 
request  this  day,  was  called  to  order  by  Colonel  D.  B. 
"\\  liite,  who  moved  that  Jacob  J.  De  Forest  be  requested 
to  occupy  the  Chair,  which  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Colonel  De  Forest,  on  taking  the  Chair,  briefly 
stated  the  object  of  the  meeting.  It  was  held  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  an  Association  to  perpetuate  the 
friendly  intercourse  of  those  ^vho  for  the  past  four 
eventful  years  had  been  associated  together  in  the  field, 
laboring  to  establish  the  Supremacy  of  the  General 
Government,  and  the  success  attending  the  first  call 
for  a  meeting  should  warrant  an  annual  assemblage. 


APPENDIX.  291 

On  motion  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mattison,  Adju 
tant  Kenny  was  unanimously  appointed  Secretary. 

On  motion,  Colonels  De  Forest,  White  and  Matti 
son,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a  suitable 
Constitution  for  the  use  and  government  of  the  Asso 
ciation. 

After  some  friendly  conversation,  the  meeting 
adjourned  till  the  next  evening,  Sept.  17,  at  7  o'clock, 

at  Stanwix  Hall. 

JACOB  J.  DE  FOREST,  Chairman. 

John  W.  Kenny j  Secretary, 

STANWIX  HALL,  ALBANY,  Sept.  17,  1865. 

Pursuant  to  adjournment,  the  Officers  and  Ex- 
Officers  of  the  Eighty-First  New  York  Veteran  Volun 
teers  assembled  to  complete  the  organization  of  their 
Association. 

Present — Colonel  Jacob  J.  De  Forest,  Colonel  D. 
B.  White,  Lieutenant  Colonel  L.  V.  S.  Mattison,  Major 
Byron  B.  Morris,  Surgeon  J.  N.  Miller,  Captains  B. 
W.  Richardson,  James  J.  Butler,  E.  A.  Blakely,  H. 
P.  Ballard?  Henry  Squires,  William  Bredow  and  Joseph 
Bartlett;  First  Lieutenants  B.  S.  De  Forest,  R.  Q.  M., 
J.  Walker  and  C.  C.  Rumill. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  Chairman, 
and  the  Constitution,  as  reported  by  the  Committee, 
was  read : 

I.  The  Association  shall  consist  of  the  Commissioned 
Officers  of  the  Eighty-First  Regiment  New  York  Vete- 


292  APPENDIX. 

ran  Volunteers,  Infantry,  any  of  whom  may  become 
members  thereof  by  subscribing  their  names,  (with 
Postoffice  address,)  to  the  Constitution,  or  by  letter 
signifying  the  same,  directed  to  the  Secretary. 

II.  The  elective  officers  shall  consist  of  a  President, 
Vice  President,  Secretary   and   Treasurer,   who  shall 
serve  for  one  year,  or  until  their  successors  are  duly 
elected.     Said  election  to  be  by  ballot. 

III.  There  shall  be  a  Board  of  Records  and  Memo 
rials,  who  shall  serve  one  year,  (and  of  which  the  Presi 
dent  and  Secretary  shall  be  ex-officio  members,)  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  prepare  a  History  of  the  Regiment, 
from  its  organization  to  the  present  time;  a  Roster  of  all 
the  Officers  who  have  belonged  to  the  Regiment;   to 
prepare  and  present  to  the  Secretary,  from  time  to  time, 
memorials  of  Officers  and  Men  who  have  been  killed  in 
battle,   or  died  while  in  the  service;  to  secure  biogra 
phies  of  the  living,  and  to  chronicle  the  changes  which 
may  occur  in  the  membership  of  the  Asssociation,  from 
any  cause,  hereafter. 

IV.  There  shall  be  an  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Asso 
ciation,  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  determined  by 
a  majority  vote  of  the  members,  at  any  regular  meeting, 
at  which  each  officer  shall  make  an  annual  report. 

V.  The  Committee  on  Records  and  Memorials  shall 
consist  of  five  members,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Presi 
dent,  on  the  nomination  of  the  members  in  open  meeting. 
VI.  Everything  pertaining  to  the  History  of  the 
Eighty-First  Regiment,  New  York  Veteran  Voluteers, 
Infantry,  to  be  carefully  preserved  by  the  Secretary, 


APPENDIX.  293 

in  the  archives  of  the  Association,  and  each  member 
hereby  pledges  himself  to  furnish  to  the  Committee  on 
Records  and  Memorials  all  assistance  in  his  power,  so 
that  a  true  History  of  the  Regiment  may  be  published 
at  the  earliest  possible  date,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Association. 

VII.  Special  meetings  of  the  Association  may  be 
held  on  the  call  of  the  President,  signed  by  five  mem 
bers,  of  which  each  member  shall  receive  due  notice 
by  mail. 

When,  on  motion,  it  was  adopted. 

The  meeting  then  preceded  to  the  election  of  officers 
for  the  ensuing  year,  which  resulted  as  follows : 

President — Colonel  JACOB  J.  DE  FOEEST. 

Vice-President — Colonel  D.  B.  WHITE. 

Secretary — Captain  JAMES  J.  BUTLEK. 

Treasurer — Lieutenant  Colonel  L.  V.  S.  MATTISON. 

On  motion  of  Colonel  White,  the  following  named 
officers  were  appointed  a  Committee  on  Records  and 
Memorials  of  the  Regiment — Surgeons  W.  H.  Rice 
and  J.  N.  Miller,  Captains  E.  A.  Blakely,  H.  Squires 
and  B.  W.  Richardson. 

It  was  moved,  by  Lieutenant  B.  S.  De  Forest,  that 
the  organization  be  known  as  the  "Social  Union  of  the 
Commissioned  Officers  of  the  Eighty-First  New  York 
Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry"  which  was  adopted. 

Moved  and  carried,  that  a  member  of  the  Associa 
tion  be  selected  to  deliver  an  address,  at  its  first  annual 
meeting. 

25* 


294  APPENDIX. 

)• 

Colonel  D.  B.  White  was  unanimously  requested  to 
deliver  the  Address.  . 

On  motion  of  Lieutenant  John  Walker,  the  time 
fixed  for  the  first  annual  meeting  was  April  3d,  1866, 
that  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  regiment's  triumphal 
entry  into  Richmond. 

On  motion  of  Captain  Squires,  it  was  decided  that 
Albany,  X.  Y.,  should  be  the  place  for  holding  the  first 
annual  meeting.  . 

Adjourned,  to  meet  as  above. 

JACOB  J.  DE  FOREST,  President. 

James  G.  Foot,  Secretary  pro  tern. 


On  the  3d  of  April,  1866,  the  first  annual  meeting 
of  the  Social  Union  of  the  Commissioned  Officers  of 
the  Eighty-First  Regiment  New  York  State  Veteran 
Volunteer  Infantry,  was  held  in  the  State  Hall,  at 
Albany,  N.  Y., 

When  it  was  moved  and  seconded  that  J.  W.  Brock- 
way  be  appointed  Secretary  pro  tern.  Adopted. 

The  President  presented  a  number  of  letters  which 
he  had  received  from  various  officers,  from  abroad, 
expressing  their  regret  in  not  being  able  to  attend  the 
first  annual  meeting  of  the  Social  Union.  The  follow 
ing  were  read  to  the  Association  by  the  Secretary : 

IlEAD-QCARTERS  SOUTHERN  SUB-DlSTRICT,  PORT  ROYAL,  ) 

HILTON  HEAD,  S.  C.,  March  14,  1866.      j 

COLONEL — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt,  this  day,  of  your  communication  and  its 


ft. 

APPENDIX.  295 

enclosures,  of  the  7th  inst.,  extending  to  me  an  invita 
tion  to  be  present  at  the  first  annual  meeting  of  the 
Social  Union  of  the  Commissioned  Officers  of  the 
Eighty-First  New  York  State  Veteran  Volunteer 
Infantry,  which  takes  places  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  on  the 
3d  of  April  next.  Having  always  felt  a  deep  and 
lively  interest 'in  the  old  Eighty-First,  nothing,  I  assure 
you,  could  be  more  gratifying  to  me  than  to  meet  in  a 
collective  capacity,  the  officers  of  my  old  regiment.  I 
regret,  however,  that  circumstances  over  which  I  have 
no  control,  are  such  as  to  utterly  preclude  the  possibility 
of  my  being  present  on  that  occasion. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

A.  G.  BENNETT, 
Lieut.  Col  21st  U.  8.  C.  Infantry, 

(Late  Captain  81st  Infantry,  N.  Y.  Y. 
Colonel  JACOB  J.  DE  FOREST,  President  Soeial  Union,  &c. 

CHARLESTON,  S.  C.,  MARCH  23,  1866. 

MY  DEAR  COLONEL — Through  the  kindness  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Bennett,  I  have  been  favored  with 
a  perusal  of  your  letter  of  invitation  to  "all  at  Hilton 
Head  who  feel  an  interest  in  the  old  Eighty-First/7  to 
the  First  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Social  Union  of  the 
Commissioned  Officers  of  the  Eighty- First  New  York 
Veteran  Volunteers.  Although  I  am  at  present  sta 
tioned  at  Charleston,  I  take  the  liberty  to  include 
myself  among  those  invited,  and  yet  it  will  be  impos 
sible  for  me  to  attend  on  that  occasion,  much  to  my 
regret,  owing  to  the  exacting  nature  of  my  duties  as 


296  APPENDIX. 

President  of  a  Military  Commission,  now  in  session 
here;  nevertheless,  I  desire  to  assure  you,  Colonel,  that 
your  worthy  Association  and  its  laudable  objects  have 
my  thorough  and  hearty  sympathy;  and  I  shall  always 
be  willing  to  co-operate  in  anything  that  aims  at  the 
glory  of  the  old  regiment,  and  the  honor  of  its  mem 
bers,  dead  and  living.  Although  claiming  no  connec 
tion  with  the  veteran  organization  of  the  Eighty-First, 
I  still  cherish  for  it  the  strongest  feelings  of  regard; 
and,  eventful  as  my  experience  has  been  since  leaving 
the  "original,"  my  attachment  to  it,  and  the  affection 
I  had  for  many  of  its  officers  and  enlisted  men  have 
not  in  the  least  diminished.  I  followed  its  career  in 
the  later  stages  of  the  war  with  the  deepest  interest, 
and  felt  as  proud  of  its  growing  fame  as  if  I  still  had 
been  numbered  among  its  members.  Indeed,  it  was  a 
source  of  regret  to  me  that  I  was  not  with  my  old  com 
rades,  when  I  read  of  the  movements  and  battles  in 
which  they  participated.  How  I  longed  to  be  with 
them  at  Cold  Harbor !  And  yet  what  a  sad  sight  it 
would  have  been  to  see  so  many  whom  I  loved  deprived 
of  life.  It  wras  with  a  moist  eye  that  I  perused  the 
fearful  list  of  killed  and  wounded  that  characterized 
that  battle,  where  our  dear  friends,  Ballard,  Martin  and 
Burke,  and  many  other  honored  patriots,  yielded  up 
their  lives  as  a  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  their  country. 
Peace  to  their  ashes!  Their  names  and  the  names  of 
all  its  martyrs  should  be  held  in  sacred  remembrance; 
and  around  their  memories,  at  each  Annual  Meeting, 
the  voice  of  sympathetic  eloquence  should  weave  its 


APPENDIX.  297 

fitting  tribute.  I  trust  the  word  Veteran,  as  applied  to 
the  regiment  in  the  title  of  the  Association,  docs  not, 
although  it  seems  to,  exclude  from  its  membership  and 
connection  those  who  left  the  regiment  previous  to  its 
re-organization.  Offshoots  as  we  are,  and  in  many 
cases  without  reason,  we  still  feel  a  certain  pride  in  that 
portion  of  our  record  that  pertains  to  the  Eighty-First, 
and  a  very  natural  desire  that  the  archives  of  the  regi 
ment  should  contain  more  than  a  meagre  narrative  of 
that  period.  I  therefore  hope  that  all  prejudices  and 
ill  feeling  will  be  cast  aside,  and  that  the  fullest  oppor 
tunities  will  be  given  to  all  the  old  officers  to  co-operate 
with  those  of  the  veteran  organization,  in  the  purposes 
of  the  Association. 

It  is  a  singular  coincidence  that  the  Eighty-First 
was  among  the  first  to  enter  Richmond,  while  Colonel 
Bennett,  an  offshoot  of  that  regiment,  was  the  first  man 
to  enter  Charleston;  and  I,,  another  offshoot,  having 
command  of  the  first  regiment  (having  in  itself  many 
old  members  of  the  Eighty-First,)  that  entered  the 
"Cradle  of  the  Rebellion." 

With  sincere  wishes  for  the  welfare  and  kindest 
regards  to  all  my  friends  of  the  "  Social  Union," 

I  am,  Colonel, 

Your  friend, 

R.  H.  WlLLOTJGHBY, 

Major  2lst  U.  S.  Colored  Troops. 

(Formerly  1st  Lieut.  Co.  E,  81st  N.  Y.  V.) 
Colonel  J.  J.  DE  FOREST,  President  Social  Union,  &c. 


298  APPENDIX. 

INDIANAPOLIS,  IND.,  March  18,  1866. 
DEAR  COLONEL — Your  kind  invitation  of  the  10th 
inst.,  to  be  present  at  the  first  annual  meeting  of  the 
officers  of  the  Eighty-First  Regiment,  was  duly  received, 
having  been  forwarded  to  me  from  Utica. 

I  regret  exceedingly  that  it  will  be  impossible  for 
me  to  be  present  on  that  occasion.  I  heartily  approve 
of  this  Association  for  several  reasons;  for  besides  the 
pleasure  it  will  afford  each  member  to  meet  the  others 
annually,  it  may  be  made  the  means  of  much  lasting 
good  to  all.  True,  our  military  life  is,  for  the  present, 
over,  but  as  citizens  we  should  realize  that  we  hold  as 
responsible  positions  for  our  country's  weal  or  woe  as 
while  engaged  in  military  service. 

I  would  suggest  that  at  the  annual  meetings  each 
member  present  be  requested  to  give,  either  verbally 
or  in  writing,  a  short  sketch  of  whatever  of  general 
interest  has  occurred  to  them  since  last  meeting.  This 
would,  I  think,  occupy  a  few  hours  pleasantly,  besides 
having  a  tendency  to  create  more  intimate  and  fraternal 
feelings. 

At  any  time  that  I  can  be  of  service  to  the  Society, 
by  furnishing  any  matter  relating  to  Article  III.  of 
your  Constitution,  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  do  so. 

•Although  I  cannot  be  with  you  on  the  day  of  your 
meeting,  I  shall  constantly,  on  that  memorable  day, 
bear  in  mind  my  old  friends,  and  the  object  of  your 
meeting;  and  while  so  gathered  in  pleasant  re-union, 
let  us  all  think  reverently  of  the  noble  brave,  our  com- 


APPENDIX.  299 

rades  in  arms,  who  have  laid  down  their  lives  on  the 
altar  of  our  country.  Please  present  my  kindest  regards 
to  all  members  present,  and  attach  my  name  to  the 
Constitution. 

Hoping  to  meet  all  members  on  your  second  anni 
versary,  I  am, 

Very  respectfully, 

CHARLES  R.  JOHNSON, 

fLate  Captain  81st  N.  Y.  V.) 
Colonel  J.  J.  DEFOREST,  President  Social  Union,  &c. 

•  BRIDGE  HAMPTON,  L.  I.,  March  22,  1866. 

DEAR  COLONEL — I  received  two  circulars  from  you 
last  evening,  which  reminded  me  that  I  ought  to  have 
written  to  you  before;  but  time  speeds  so  swiftly  that 
many  things  are  delayed. 

I  should  be  glad  to  meet  my  old  associates  in  the 
service  of  our  country,  and  review  those  scenes  of  toil, 
privations,  hardship  and  suffering,  but  I  must  forego 
that  pleasure.  I  cannot  leave,  nor  is  my  health  good. 
I  had  hoped  the  past  winter  that  I  was  getting  well, 
but  for  some  little  time  past  I  have  felt  the  effects  of 
those  Southern  miasmas. 

I  would  be  glad  to  join  your  Association,  for  I  yet 
hold  dear  the  memory  of  the  Eighty-First  New  York 
Volunteers,  as  an  organization,  as  well  as  many  of  the 
individuals  composing  it;  and  while  I  cannot  be  present, 
I  can  bid  you  God  speed ;  and  may  it  ever  be  ours  to 
stand  up  in  defence  of  justice  and  right.  Let  not  per 
sonal  interest  swerve  us  from  the  right;  but  may  we 


300  APPENDIX. 

labor  for  our  country's  good,  and  watch  that  no  wily 
enemy  may  sap  the  foundation  of  our  loved  land  until 
we  shall  have  sounded  the  alarm,  and  have  gathered 
her  forces  in  defence. 

Respectfully  yours, 

JOHN  F.  YOUNGS, 

(Formerly  2d  Lieut.  81st  N.  Y.  V.) 
Colonel  J.  J.  DE  FOREST,  President  Social  Union,  &c. 

• 
The  following  resolution  was  oifered  by  Surgeon  W. 

H.  Rice,  and  was  unanimously  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  term  "Veteran  Volunteer,"  in 
the  first  Article  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Association, 
was  not  designed  to,  and  does  not,  exclude  from  it  any 
officer  who  is,  or  at  any  time  was,  a  member  of  this 
regiment,  either  as  officer  or  private,  and  is  now  in  the 
service,  or  has  been  discharged.  Regarding  them  all 
as  brethren  who  served  in  the  same  cause,  and  endured 
the  same  hardships  and  privations,  this  Association  is 
formed  in  no  spirit  of  exclusiveness. 

The  reports  of  the  different  officers  were  read,  after 
which  the  following  officers  were  elected  for  the  ensuing 
year : 

President — Surgeon  WM.  H.  RICE. 

Vice-President — Major  E.  A.  STIMSON. 

Secretary — Captain  JOHN  T.  DE  FOREST. 

Treasurer — Captain  E.  S.  COOK, 

On  motion  of  Surgeon  \Vm.  H.  Rice,  a  committee 
of  three  was  appointed  to  draft  resolutions  on  the  death 


APPENDIX.  301 

our  late  Chaplain,  Isaac  G.  Duryea.  The  President 
appointed  Surgeon  William  H.  Rice,  Major  E.  A. 
Stimson  and  Major  Byron  B.  Morris,  as  such  com 
mittee,  who  reported  the  following  resolutions : 

Whereas,  the  Rev.  Isaac  G.  Duryea,  our  late  Chap 
lain,  has  been  called  to  the  reward  of  the  good  and 
the  just. 

Resolved,  That  remembering  his  Christian  virtues, 
his  faithful  services  to  his  country,  his  solicitous  care 
for  his  comrades;  that  his  hands  were  ever  prompt  in 
charitable  deeds,  as  his  heart  was  ever  overflowing 
with  kindly  utterances,  and  that  his  last  labors  were 
for  our  benefit,  we  tender  to  his  afflicted  family  our 
grateful  and  hearty  sympathy,  though  sorrowing  not 
as  those  without  hope. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent 
to  the  family  of  our  friend  and  faithful  Chaplain. 
(Signed)  WM.  H.  RICE, 

E.  A.  STIMSON, 
BYKON  B.  MORRIS. 

Adjourned  to  meet  at  the  Globe  Hotel,  at  Syracuse, 
N.  Y.,  on  the  3d  day  of  April,  1867,  at  2  o'clock  P.  M. 


f'6 


302  APPENDIX. 


SKETCHES  OF  WAR  PRISONS  IN  VIRGINIA, 
NORTH  AND  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


THE  following  description  of  Southern  war  prisons, 
and  of  the  treatment  of  Union  prisoners  confined  in 
them,  taken  from  the  Third  Annual  Report  of  the 
Bureau  of  Military  Record,  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
cannot  fail  to  interest  the  general  reader,  and  more 
especially  all  who  had  friends  who  suffered  or  died  in 
them.  The  Author  believes  the  narrative  to  be  truth 
ful,  having  received  nearly  the  same  statement  himself 
from  returned  prisoners  who  had  been  confined  in  these 
dens,  while  with  the  army  in  the  South : 

RICHMOND  TOBACCO  WAEEHOUSES. 

The  most  liberal  rations  issued  to  men  incarcerated 
in  the  earlier  prisons,  tobacco  warehouses,  consisted  of 
a  small  piece  of  cold  beef,  (or  some  rice  in  lieu  of  it,) 
and  five  ounces  of  bread,  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  at 
seven  o'clock  P.  M.,  about  a  half  pint  of  soup  and  five 
ounces  of  bread.  The  rice  was  often  wormy,  and  the 
meat  (cooked  two  days  before  consumption,  and  kept 
in  a  trough)  was  dirty,  stale  and  hard,  its  juices  having 


APPENDIX.  303 

been  extracted  for  the  previous  day's  soup  ration.  So 
goaded  by  hunger  were  the  prisoners  here  that  they 
have  been  known  to  hunt  for  a  bone  in  the  pile  of 
filth,  and  gnaw  eagerly  upon  it.  The  Federal  officers 
were  confined  on  another  floor  of  the  warehouse,  and, 
having  funds  in  their  possession,  were  enabled  to  pur 
chase  additions  to  their  daily  rations;  their  condition 
was  more  endurable,  as  rank  and  station  usually  com 
manded  some  consideration  on  the  part  of  rebel  officers. 
They  continued  to  get  a  sufficiency  of  food,  such  as  was 
jpurchaseable,  and  were  able  to  send  some  surplus  frag 
ments  to  the  destitute  occupants  of  other  floors.  Every 
day,  from  early  morning  until  late  at  night,  emaciated 
soldiers  may  be  seen  waiting  longingly  for  the 'surplus 
bread  and  meat  from  the  officers7  table.  It  is  a  scene 
of  piteous  sadness  when  a  steward  brings  forth  a  pan 
of  bread  to  distribute  among  them.  As  he  appears,, 
every  soldier's  eye  glares  with  a  hungry  look,  arms 
are  stretched  forth  beyond  the  sentry's  musket,  and 
each  man  jostles  with  his  neighbor  for  a  crust  of  bread, 
and  crunches  his  share  with  eager,  ravenous  haste. 

In  this  primary  prison-house  of  the  South,  seven 
Federal  soldiers  were  shot  dead  by  sentinels  for  inad 
vertantly  approaching  the  windows.  There  was  but 
one  hydrant  for  the  use  of  five  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
and  every  day  they  were  kept  hours  waiting  in  here 
before  they  could  obtain  water.  The  same  buckets 
used  in  the  distribution  of  meat  and  soup,  were  fur 
nished  to  them  for  the  washing  of  their  bodies  and 
clothes.  One  small  stove  was  placed  in  a  room  eighty 


304  APPENDIX. 

feet  long,  by  fifty  wide,  with  open  windows,  and  the 
men  were  often  forced  to  walk  half  the  night,  to  reani 
mate  their  chilled  frames.  The  dirt,  bones  and  other 
refuse  matter,  accumulated  in  disgusting  piles  in  a 
corner. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  enlisted  men  in  the  first 
prison  at  Richmond.  When  the  defeat  of  our  forces  at 
Manassas  threw  a  large  number  of  Federal  officers  and 
privates  into  rebel  hands,  there  was  no  distinction 
made  between  them.  Six  hundred  enlisted  men  were 
thrust  with  the  officers  into  a  warehouse — where,  swd-, 
tering  under  the  heat  of  midsummer,  with  closed  win 
dows,  and  not  sufficient  room  for  them  all  to  lie,  wedge- 
packed,  upon  the  floor,  they  remained  suffering  and 
without  food  for  nearly  twenty-four  hours. 

There  was  some  pretension,  at  this  time,  to  furnish 
medical  treatment  in  hospitals  adjacent  to  the  prison 
warehouses.  The  hospital  buildings  contained  three 
floors,  each  receiving  eighty  camp  cots.  Twelve  nurses 
were  allotted,  eight  during  the  day,  and  four  at  night; 
two  sergeants  having  charge  of  the  medicines  and  alter 
nating  on  post.  The  wards  were  kept  in  good  order 
at  that  time,  the  attendants  being  prisoners  of  war  them 
selves.  Supplies  of  clothing  and  necessaries  wrere 
received  from  the  Federal  authorities,  and  distributed 
to  our  sick  and  wounded,  and  it  is  reported  (unoffi 
cially)  that  the  entire  stock  of  lint  and  bandages  in  the 
hospital  was  sent  in  by  the  Unionists  of  Richmond, 
after  the  battle  of  Manassas. 


APPENDIX.  305 

LIBBY  PRISON. 

The  Libby  Prison,  at  Richmond,  comprised  a  row 
of  brick  buildings,  which  had  formerly  been  used  as 
tobacco  warehouses.  The  structure  was  three  stories 
in  height,  and  overlooked  the  canal  and  James  river. 
The  buildings  were  made  to  communicate  by  doorways 
opened  in  their  partition  walls.  Each  loft  or  room 
was  one  hundred  feet  in  length,  by  forty  in  breadth. 
In  six  of  these  rooms  there  were  confined  at  one  time 
twelve  hundred  Federal  officers  of  all  ranks,  from  that 
of  Brigadier  General  to  that  of  Second  Lieutenant; 
allowing  a  space  of  about  twenty  superficial  feet  of  floor 
to*  each  man,  (ten  feet  by  two,)  wherein  to  cook,  eat, 
wash,  sleep,  and  exercise.  In  the  quarters  of  these 
officers  there  was  a  sufficiency  of  water,  a  tank  for 
bathing  purposes  being  placed  on  each  of  four  rooms. 
Seventy-six  windows  in  the  six  apartments  admitted 
air,  there  being  no  glass  or  shutters  in  winter  or  sum 
mer.  A  sink  was  constructed  outside  the  building,  the 
upper  portion  of  its  sides  being  left  open  for  ventilation. 

Under  the  primary  rules  of  Libby  prison  the  occu- 
cants  were  allowed  no  furniture  or  bedding,  but  were 
obliged,  (as  a  prisoner  expresses  it,)  to  "huddle  upon 
their  haunches  like  so  many  slaves  on  the  middle 
passage."  Subsequently  they  were  permitted  to  con 
struct  chairs  and  stools  for  their  own  use,  out  of  barrels 
and  boxes  in  which  clothing  had  been  brought  from 
the  North.  Two  stoves  were  allowed  to  a  loft  during 
the  winter  season,  but  the  supply  of  wood  was  insuffi 
cient  to  warm  an  apartment  which  remained  exposed 
26* 


306  APPENDIX. 

to  the  cold  from  open  windows.  The  ration  of  daily 
food  in  the  officers7  quarter  wras  a  small  loaf  of  corn 
bread,  weighing  about  half  a  pound,  and  about  two 
ounces  of  beef.  The  quality  of  the  bread  ration  is 
suggested  by  the  remark  of  an  officer,  who  said :  "  I 
would  gladly  have  preferred  the  horsefeed  in  my 
father's  stable."  It  is  testified  by  prisoners  that  the 
quantity  of  daily  food  was  at  no  period  enough  to  sup 
port  healthful  life,  and  during  the  greater  part  of  the 
period  of  incarceration  the  inmates  of  Libby  were  sub 
jected  to  slow  starvation,  except  in  cases  where  "extra  " 
food  was  sparsely  admitted  for  purchase  by  those  who 
could  command  the  means  to  buy.  During  these  terms 
of  compulsory  famine,  it  is  proved  that  there  was  an 
abundance  of  superior  provisions  in  the  possesion  of 
rebel  authorities,  much  of  it  having  been  received  from 
the  North  and  withheld  from  the  prisoners  for  whose 
use  it  had  been  forwarded.  On  one  occasion,  as  is 
related,  the  inmates  of  one  of  the  rooms  were  enabled, 
by  removing  a  plank  in  the  flooring,  to  penetrate  to  a 
cellar  under  the  building,  wherein  was  stored  supplies 
of  the  finest  wheat  flour,  potatoes  and  turnips.  During 
months  the  famishing  inmates  of  Libby  were  aware  that 
boxes  of  food  and  clothing  from  Northern  Triends,  sent 
for  their  use,  were  piled  in  neighboring  warehouses,  to 
the  number  of  three  thousand,  while  a  mere  pretence 
of  delivery  was  made  of  a  single  box,  perhaps,  daily. 
Often,  when  permitted  to  buy  necessary  clothing  or  food, 
at  exorbitant  prices,  our  officers  found  the  purchased 
articles  stamped  with  the  mark  of  the  United  States 


APPENDIX.  307 

Sanitary  Commission,  which  had  contributed  them  for 
the  prisoners'  relief.  The  regulations  or  rather  caprices 
of  rule  in  Libby  prison,  were  tyrannical  in  the  extreme. 
Dungeons  were  contrived  beneath  the  buildings,  fit  only 
for  dens  of  reptiles,  and  into  these  places  our  imprisoned 
soldiers  were  thrust,  by  order  of  the  prison  authorities, 
for  the  most  trivial  offences,  or  assumed  offences.  The 
commander  of  the  department,  during  the  existence  of 
these  abuses,  was  Major  General  Winder.  The  com 
mandant  of  the  prison  was  Major  Turner,  and  Richard 
Turner  was  prison  inspector.  The  arbitrary  will  of 
these  men  was  law  without  appeal. 

* 

PRISON  AT  BELLE  ISLE,  VIRGINIA. 

Belle  Isle  is  a  small  insulation  on  the  James  river, 
opposite  Richmond.  In  time  of  peace,  and  during  the 
vernal  season,  its  name  may  properly  describe  it,  for  the 
place  is  not  destitute  of  natural  beauty.  To  Union 
war  prisoners,  however,  Belle  Isle  mu^t  always  be  a 
reminHcence  of  misery. 

During  the  rebellion,  Belle  Isle  was  appropriated, 
or  rather  the  barren  portion  of  it  was  used  as  a  place  of 
confinement  for  the  rank  and  file  of  Federal  prisoners. 
There  was  Ao  regular  stockade,  but  an  enclosure  of 
about  six  acres,  surrounded  by  an  earthbank,  some 
three  feet  in  height,  having  a  ditch  on  either  side. 
The  space  thus  bounded  was  destitute  of  trees  or  ver 
dure,  the  ground  being  low  and  sandy,  exposed  in  win 
ter  to  wind  and  storm,  and  in  summer  time  scorched 
under  the  heat  and  glare  of  noonday,  or  dank  with  the 


308  APPENDIX. 

malarious  fogs  of  night.  On  the  edge  of  the  exterior 
ditch  was  a  sentry  line,  which  extended  around  the 
prison  ground.  On  this  line,  guards  walked  their 
beats,  at  distances  of  forty  feet  from  post  to  post,  com 
manding  the  enclosure  with  their  guns,  by  day  and 
night.  A  provision  for  shelter  was  attempted  by  the 
laying  out  of  a  sort  of  encampment,  of  ragged  Sibley 
tents  in  rows,  with  streets  or  passage  ways  between; 
but  these  tents  only  sufficed  to  contain  the  first  prisoners 
of  war,  and  became  totally  inadequate  for  the  protection 
of  thousands  who  were  afterward  brought  to  Belle  Isle. 
This  prison  yard  speedily  became  a  torture  field  and 
grave  of  Union  soldiers,  within  sight  of  Richmond, 
and  under  the  immediate  notice  of  the  self-styled  Con 
federate  Government. 

No  variety  or  even  regulation  of  rations  seems  to 
have  been  known  at  Belle  Isle.  The  prisoners  were 
fed  as  the  swine  are  fed.  A  chunk  of  corn  bread, 
twelve  or  fourteen  ounces  in  weight,  half  baked,  full 
of  cracks,  as  if  baked  in  the  sun,  musty  in  taste,  con 
taining  whole  grains  of  corn,  fragments  of  cob,  and 
pieces  of  husk ;  meat  often  tainted,  and  a  mere  mouth 
ful;  two  or  three  spoonfuls  of  rotten  beans;  soup  thin 
and  briny,  with  worms  floating  on  its  •surface;  the 
whole  ration  never  one-half  the  quantity  necessary  for  a 
healthy  man,  and  no  two  articles  being  given  together. 
The  prisoners  at  Belle  Isle  gnawed  refuse  bones  or 
broke  them  in  pieces  to  make  soup.  They  begged  for 
stale  bread  from  the  guards;  they  caught  and  ate  rats: 
they  devoured  a  dog  which  had  strayed  into  the  enclo- 


APPENDIX.  309 

sure.  It  is  unnecessary  to  dwell  further  upon  what 
must  have  been  the  suffering  of  our  soldiers  at  Belle 
Isle,  by  reason  of  hunger  alone. 

It  has  been  mentioned  that  tents  were  arranged  for 
the  shelter  of  earlier  prisoners.  These  tents  were  old 
and  rotten  at  first,  and  were  capable  of  containing 
only  a  small  portion  of  the  prisoners,  there  being  at 
some  periods  of  the  war  as  many  as  twelve  thousand 
turned  into  the  enclosure,  like  so  many  cattle,  to  find 
what  resting  place  they  could.  When  crowded  thus, 
the  average  space  apportioned  to  each  man,  was  from 
two  feet  by  seven  to  three  feet  by  nine.  Most  of  these 
unfortunates  were  obliged  to  lie  upon  the  ground,  to  be 
drenched  by  rain,  and  often  frozen  by  the  cold.  During 
the  severe  winter  months,  while  the  mercury  ranged 
below  zero  at  Eichmond,  and  ice  formed  on  the  James 
river,  our  gallant  boys  at  Belle  Isle  endured  the  days 
and  nights,  shelterless,  unclothed,  sick  and  disease- 
smitten.  Some  crawled  for  protection  into  the  ditch, 
heaped  against  each  other,  and  of  those  the  "  outer  row  " 
often  froze  to  death  during  sleep;  some  dug  holes  in  the 
sand,  and  burrowed  in  them;  hundreds  passed  the  cold 
nights  in  running  to  and  fro,  to  keep  their  blood  from 
coagulation.  Every  morning  numbers  were  found  frozen 
stiif  in  the  embrace  of  death.  The  hospital  and  death 
carts  were  constantly  bearing  out  loads  of  dying  and 
dead.  The  men  lost  strength,  spirits,  and  sometimes 
reason.  Blindness  and  dizziness  made  them  faint  on 
the  least  exertion.  Diarrhoea  wasted  them,  scurvy  ate 
into  their  bones,  vermin  tortured  them,  and  they  became 


310  APPENDIX. 

mad  with  fevers.  A  broad  beach  sloped  to  the  water 
in  front  of  the  encampment,  and  the  prisoners  might 
have  enjoyed  cleanliness,  if  denied  all  other  indulgences. 
But  the  rules  permitted  only  about  seventy-five  men 
to  bathe  in  one  day,  in  squads  of  half  a  dozen  at  a  time. 
Hence,  a  man's  "chance"  to  wash  his  person,  when  the 
person  was  least  wounded,  might  come  but  once  in  six 
months.  Their  condition  from  filth  became  horrible. 
Being  forbidden  to  approach  the  sinks  at  night,  the 
densely  populated  quarters  became  loathsome  writh  filth. 
The  wells  were  tainted,  the  air  was  filled  with  disgust 
ing  odors.  Such  was  the  prison  at  Belle  Isle. 

PRISON  AT  DANVILLE,  VIRGINIA. 

The  prisons  at  Danville  were  tobacco  warehouses. 
There  were  four  buildings  used  as  prisons,  respectively 
designated  as  Xos.  1,  3,  4  and  6;  the  other  numbers, 
2  and  5,  being  used  to  distinguish  a  commissary  build 
ing  and  an  unoccupied  warehouse.  Four  of  these 
buildings  face  a  square,  where  the  rebels  were  accus 
tomed  to  mount  guard,  and  we  were  thus  allowed  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  a  little  "military."  "When  we 
entered  this  prison,  (July  22d,  1864,)"  says  a -Federal 
soldier,  "and  for  three  or  four  months  subsequently,  we 
were  guarded  by  regular  Confederate  States  troops,  but 
these  were  aftewards  sent  to  the  front,  and  we  remained 
guarded  by  Home  Guards  from  neighboring  counties, 
whose  treatment  of  us  was  much  better  than  that  of 
their  predecessors.  The  officer  first  in  command  was 
one  Major  Morfit,  who  was  succeeded  by  Captain  Kidi- 


APPENDIX.  311 

ardson,  who,  in  turn,  was  succeeded  by  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Smith,  who  continued  in  command  when  we 
were  paroled.  The  latter  officer  was  kind,  and  did  his 
best  for  us,  but  of  the  others  the  least  said  the  better. 
When  we  entered  this  prison  our  rations  were  quito 
tolerable,  consisting  of  corn  bread  and  meat,  the  latter 
having  been  furnished  by  the  United  States  Sanitary 
Commission;  but  after  this  supply  was  exhausted,  we 
had  very  little  meat,  and  from  the  middle  of  December, 
1864,  until  the  last  of  February,  1865,  we  had  not  a 
mouthful.  Very  many  boxes  sent  to  our  men  were 
detained  in  Richmond  until  the  news  of  the  general 
exchange  came,  when  they  were  forwarded,  the  con 
tents,  in  most  cases,  being  utterly  worthless.  Our  suf 
ferings  during  the  winter  were  intense;  we  were  obliged 
frequently  to  walk  the  building  the  entire  night  to  keep 
the  blood  in  circulation,  and  some  had  their  feet  and 
limbs  badly  frozen." 

The  prison  buildings  were  all  about  the  same  size, 
brick  structures,  forty  by  eighty  feet,  three  stories  high^ 
with  the  first  story  used  only  as  a  way  or  passage  to 
the  yard,  which  latter  was  about  twenty  feet  long  by 
the  width  of  the  building,  contained  the  sinks,  and  was 
a  place  of  reception  for  the  sweepings  of  the  room. 

In  the  buildings  occupied  by  our  enlisted  men  the 
first  story  was  also  used  for  the  sick,  who  were  not  near 
enough  death  to  be  removed  to  the  hospital.  This 
room  possessed  an  advantage  over  the  others  in  one 
respect,  having  more  fresh  air,  as  there  was  no  glass  in 
its  windows,  and  but  a  poor  apology  for  a  Southern  coal 


312  APPENDIX. 

stove.  The  coal  used  was  so  bad  that  half  of  it  came 
out,  after  burning,  nothing  but  hot  stone,  and  it  gave 
so  little  heat  that  a  person  might  stand  all  day  within 
two  feet  of  the  stove  without  any  discomfort  from  heat. 
Of  course  this  was  just  the  room  for  our  sick,  no  other 
place  being  so  efficient  in  filling  the  graveyards,  or 
reducing  Union  ranks.  Too  many  of  our  noble  men, 
battling  for  the  old  Stars  and  Stripes,  could  live,  month 
after  month,  and  year  after  year,  on  a  bit  of  coarse 
corn  bread  a  day — and  something  must  be  done  to 
purge  them. 


The  stockade  at  Salisbury  appears  to  have  rivaled 
that  of  Anderson ville,  in  the  history  of  rebel  ill  treat 
ment  and  the  record  of  prison  sufferings  attached  to  it. 
The  story  of  exposure,  sickness  and  death,  is  the  same 
in  detail,  as  regards  both  of  these  places. 

The  hospital  house  was  originally  a  cotton  factory, 
,a  building  about  ninety  by  thirty  feet  inside  of  the 
stockade,  into  which  the  prisoners  were  seldom  admitted 
until  ready  to  die. 

The  mass  of  prisoners  were  confined  in  the  yard  or 
pen,  as  in  other  prison  grounds,  and  a  pretence  of  shel 
ter  was  furnished  by  the  issue  of  three  Sibley  tents  to 
100  men.  Not  more  than  one-third  of  the  prisoners 
were  sheltered  by  tents;  the  bulk  of  them  built  mud 
hovels  and  fire-places,  or  burrowed  in  the  ground ;  some 
crawled  under  the  hospital  buildings.  The  prisoners 
were  organized  in  divisions  of  a  thousand  each,  these 


APPENDIX.  313 

subdivided  into  squads  of  one  hundred  each.  The 
rations  were  delivered  to  these  divisions  irregularly, 
the  supply  generally  insufficient,  being  issued  about 
once  in  ten  days.  The  sufferings  at  this  prison  are 
described  by  returned  prisoners  as  extreme.  One 
account  says  it  was  unspeakable.  "What  we  got  for 
one  day's  rations  was  not  enough  for  one  good  meal ; 
sometimes  we  went  a  day  without  rations,  at  one  time 
fifty-six  hours,  with  only  a  cup  of  rice  soup  to  a  man. 
I  have  seen  men  pick  up  bones  out  of  human  excre 
ment,  clean  them  and  crack  them  for  the  grease  inside; 
I  have  seen  them  pick  up  corn  and  eat  it  raw." 

The  water  from  the  wells,  three  or  four  in  number, 
was  scarce  and  unwholesome.  The  principal  supply 
of  water  was  from  a  brook  outside  the  prison  yard, 
brought  in  barrels,  one  barrel  being  allowed  to  each 
squad,  which  did  not  afford  enough  for  daily  drinking, 
and  was  wholly  inadequate  for  washing  purposes. 

In  reference  to  shelter,  it  is  testified  that,  besides  the 
few  Sibley  tents,  there  was  no  other  protection  against 
the  weather  than  what  the  men  provided  for  themselves; 
the  burrowing  holes  were  four  feet  deep,  excavated 
round,  and  they  could  sit  down  in  them,  but  could  not 
stand  up;  these  had  fire-places  to  them,  with  holes 
punched  for  chimneys.  They  built  a  little  porch  over 
the  mouths  of  the  holes,  to  turn  the  rain,  but  in  a 
hard  rain  some  of  these  would  fall  in,  as  they  were 
built  of  mud. 

In  a  period  of  five  months  from  the  close  of  Septem 
ber,  1864,  to  the  close  of  February,  1865,  we  have  the 
27 


314  APPENDIX. 

sworn  testimony  of  the  prisoners  employed  in  hos 
pital  service  at  Salisbury  prison,  that  fifty-one  hun 
dred  prisoners  died,  mainly  from  want,  hunger  and 
exposure,  out  of  the  ten  thousand  confined  at  that  time. 
During  this  period,  no  clothing  whatever  was  issued  by 
the  rebel  authorities.  Very  few  of  the  prisoners  pos 
sessed  blankets,  all  were  thinly  clad,  and  they  were 
left  without  shelter  of  any  kind,  except  such  as  could 
be  obtained  by  digging  holes  in  the  ground  and  bur 
rowing  in  them  to  escape  the  cold,  fhe  weather  was 
severe,  with  hard  frosts  and  heavy  rains.  The  rations 
of  food  were  insufficient  to  sustain  health.  The  daily 
allowance  to  a  man  never  exceeded  one-half  pound  of 
corn  or  sorghum  bread,  or  one  pint  of  corn  meal,  ground 
with  the  cob,  and  one-half  pint  of  very  thin  soup,  with 
out  seasoning.  Twice  in  a  month  the  heads,  livers  and 
tripe,  and  inferior  extremities  of  beef  cattle  were  served 
out,  raw  and  bloody,  in  morsels,  each  about  the  size  of 
a  man's  two  fingers.  No  other  meat  of  any  kind  was 
allowed  to  the  prisoners.  Sometimes,  but  never  in  con 
nection  with  the  above  issue  of  beef,  sorghum  was  given, 
two  or  three  spoonfuls  to  the  man.  This  distribution 
was  made  about  once  in  the  week.  No  salt  was  ever 
furnished.  At  least  one  day  in  each  week  was  com 
pulsory  Cast  day,  no  ration  of  any  kind  being  given  to 
the  prisoners. 

On  Thanksgiving  and  Christmas  days,  of  1864, 
no  food  was  served,  the  reason  assigned  being  that 
as  Yankees  were  feasting  at  home,  the  Yankee  pri 
soners  should  fast.  During  the  greater  part  of  the 


APPENDIX.  315 

term  above  stated,  the  water  for  drinking  was  sup 
plied  in  scanty  quantities,  and  was  very  nauseous  and 
impure. 

Wells  and  cisterns  had  been  sunk,  but  the  drainings 
from  the  prison  yard,  and  filth  from  the  sinks,  were 
washed  into  these  reservoirs,  rendering  the  water  dis 
gusting.  It  was  impossible  to  procure  a  sufficiency  for 
bath,  washing  and  drinking,  and  the  majority  of  the 
prisoners  were  unable  to  cleanse  their  persons,  and 
became  so  blackened  with  dirt  and  smoke  as  to  be 
undistinguishable  (except  by  the  hair)  from  negroes. 

PRISON  AT  FLORENCE,  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

The  prison  at  Florence,  Arlington  county,  South 
Carolina,  was  a  stockade  like  that  of  Andersonville, 
with  a  swamp  in  its  center,  and  a  hill  on  .either  side. 
The  enclosure  was  about  fifteen  acres,  one-third  of 
which  was  depressed  and  marshy.  The  palisade  was 
constructed  of  rough  trunks  of  trees,  set  side  by  side  in 
the  ground,  and  banked  up  by  earth  on  the  outer  side, 
nearly  to  the  tops  of  the  timbers.  This  outer  earth 
work  formed  a,  sort  of  parquette  or  elevated  platform, 
on  which  the  guards  were  posted,  walking  their  beats, 
and  overlooking  the  stockade.  At  Andersonville,  sen 
try  boxes  afforded  the  guards  a  command  of  the  interior, 
but  the  south  bank  at  Florence  answered  the  same  pur 
pose.  At  Andersonville  the  "dead  line"  was  marked 
by  low  posts  and  a  railing,  but  at  Florence  it  was 
defined  only  by  a  shallow  ditch  running  around  the 
interior  almost. 


316  APPENDIX. 

The  stockade  at  Andersonville  was  lengthwise,  north 
and  south,  at  Florence,  east  and  west.  Andersonville 
boasted  its  inhuman  master  in  the  jailor,  Wirz,  but 
Florence  had  its  overseer  also,  a  Georgia  Lieutenant, 
named  Barrett,  of  whom  it  is  said,  "a  greater  wretch 
never  lived." 

The .  stockade  at  Andersonville  was  surrounded 
by  forts  and  artillery,  and  that  of  Florence  was  like 
wise  encircled  by  its  two  lines  of  breastworks,  with  a 
square  platform  at  each  corner,  on  which  to  mount 
field  pieces;  a  deep  ditch  running  along  the  whole. 
Guards  constantly  traveled  the  raised  banks,  and  gun 
ners  stood  by  the  angle  of  guns,  ready  to  discharge 
them  into  the  stockade,  to  repress  any  outbreak.  At 
the  "great  jail  delivery"  of  Andersonville  prison,  some 
twelve  thousand  were  removed  to  Florence. 

A  Federal  private  from  New  York  State,  after  being 
confined  at  Andersonville  nearly  four  months,  was 
transferred  to  Florence  stockade,  in  September,  when 
the  Andersonville  camp  was  broken  up.  "The  pri 
soners,"  he  says,  "were  sent  to  different  places,  and  I 
went  with  eleven  thousand  to  Florence.  I  had  suffered 
with  the  chronic  diarhoea  and  the  typhoid  fever,  at 
Andersonville,  and  at  Florence  was  attacked  again  with 
the  typhoid,  and  also  with  the  dropsy,  which  very  nearly 
killed  me,  and  would,  had  I  not  got  away  when  I  did, 
in  February,  1865.  At  Florence  we  were  treated  in 
the  same  way  as  before,  with  the  exception  that  we 
received  no  meat  at  all.  Our  rations  were  a  pint  of 
corn  meal,  a  half  pint  of  peas  and  sometimes  a  little  rice." 


APPENDIX.  317 

PRISONS  AT  COLUMBIA,  S.   C. CAMP  SORGHUM. 

This  prison  camp  was  located  in  an  open  field  that 
was  once  used  for  growing  corn,  but  had  become  over 
run  with  scrub  vegetation.  A  few  dwarf  pine  trees 
afforded  the  only  shade,  and  the  shelter  consisted  of 
brush  hovels,  constructed  by  the  prisoners.  The  area 
within  guard  lines  was  about  four  acres.  The  treat 
ment  of  Federal  officers  at  this  place  was  very  severe, 
and  occasioned  much  suffering.  The  rations  consisted 
of  a  pint  of  corn  meal  daily;  less  than  a  fourth  of  a  pint 
of  sorghum,  and  a  teaspoonful  of  salt. 

ASYLUM  PRISON. 

The  yard  of  the  Insane  Asylum,  at  Columbus,  was 
enclosed  on  three  sides  by  a  brick  wall,  ten  to  twelve 
feet  high,  and  the  fourth  wall  was  composed  of  boards, 
which  separated  the  prison  yard  from  the  main  build 
ing.  The  enclosure  comprised  about  two  acres.  Sen 
try  boxes  were  erected,  at  intervals,  outside  of  the  walls, 
commanding  a  view  of  the  interior.  The  board  fence, 
dividing  the  prison  from  the  .Asylum,  was  pierced  with 
port  holes,  and  in  the  space  beyond  *  it  two  pieces  of 
artillery  were  mounted  in  readiness  for  service.  It  had 
been  intended  to  provide  thirty-two  buildings,  as  bar 
racks  for  the  war  prisoners,  but  only  a  portion  of  these 
were  completed,  and  the  residue  of  shelter  was  made 
up  of  old  tents  and  pieces  of  canvas.  These  appliances 
being  insufficient  to  protect  the  mass  of  prison  inmates, 
a  great  number  were  compelled  to  burrow  in  the  ground 
or  construct  clay  houses,  in  the  form  of  Esquimaux  huts, 

27* 


318  APPENDIX. 

to  shield  their  bodies  against  the  storms  and  piercing 
cold.  The  fuel  ration  issued  was  scanty,  and  insuffi 
cient  to  allow  of  the  comfort  of  a  fire.  Prisoners  were 
often  obliged  to  walk  through  the  night  hours  to  keep 
their  blood  from  stagnation.  The  rations  at  this  place 
were  meager,  consisting  of  a  pint  of  coarse  corn  meal 
and  a  gill  of  sour  sorghum,  daily,  and  two  tablespoon- 
fuls  of  rice  and  two  of  salt,  for  five  days.  During  one 
hundred  and  thirty-three  days  at  Columbia,  the  pri 
soners  of  war  never  received*  a  particle  of  meat. 

JAIL  YARD,  CHARLESTON,  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

The  prison  ground  comprised  about  an  acre,  sur 
rounding  the  City  Jail,  a  brick  building,  four  stories 
high,  with  a  frontage  of  six  hundred  feet  and  a  depth 
of  one  hundred  feet.  It  is  a  castellated  structure,  with 
an  octagon  wing  and  flanking  towers.  From  the  center 
of  the  octagon  wing  rises  a  strong  tower  or  citidel,  forty 
feet  high.  A  number  of  negro  soldiers,  made  prisoners 
of  war  at  Fort  Wagner,  were  incarcerated  in  this  middle 
prison.  The  walls  enclosing  the  edifice  were  twelve 
feet  in  height. 

The  shelter  furnished  to  the  Federal  prisoners  in 
this  jail  yard  consisted  of  A  tents,  sufficient  to  cover 
about  two  thirds  of  the  number  confined.  The  quar 
ters  were  crowded  and  exposed  to  the  sun.  A  single 
pump  supplied  water,  and  a  noisome  sink,  used  by  the 
jail  prisoners,  occupied  a  corner  of  the  close  and  stifling 
yard.  This  place  of  detention  was  used  for  officers,  in 
transition  from  prison  to  prison. 


APPENDIX.  .  319 

ROPER  HOSPITAL,  CHARLESTON. 

This  edifice  was  four  stories  high,  constructed  of 
brick,  plastered  to  resemble  brown  stone.  The  main 
building  was  seventy-eight  feet  front  by  sixty  feet  deep, 
and  wings  extended  east  and  west,  three  stories  high, 
and  each  one  hundred  feet  long,  with  a  tower  buttress 
ing  either  end.  The  front  grounds  were  laid  out  with 
shrubbery,  but  the  rear  was  very  filthy,  the  sinks 
exhaling  noisome  vapors.  A  well  and  some  old  cis 
terns  furnished  poor  water,  in  insufficient  quantities  for 
the  prisoners — who  consisted  of  paroled  Federal  officers, 
under  fire  from  the  guns  of  General  Gilmore.  The 
shells  from  the  United  States  fleet  and  batteries  were 
constantly  showered  about  this  prison,  but  during  all 
the  time  that  the  Federal  officers  were  there  confined, 
under  fire,  there  was  but  one  slight  casualty,  a  flesh 
wound  inflicted  upon  one  of  the  prisoners  by  a  frag 
ment  of  shell,  the  shell  itself  descending  through  the 
roof  and  passing  through  the  flooring  of  the  building. 


CRUELTY  TO  UNION  SOLDIERS  IN  REBEL  PRISONS. 

The  story  of  abuse  and  cruelty,  in  its  repulsive  full 
ness,  cannot  indeed  be  written  out.  Its  recital  would 
be  an  endless  repetition  of  harrowing  descriptions  of 
degrading  details  concerning  facts  too  deplorable  for 
humanity  to  dwell  upon.  And  yet  it  is  necessary  that 
the  prison  experience  of  our  brave  soldiers,  dismal  as  it 
was,  should  have  a  proper  record,  and  that  the  acts  of 


320  APPENDIX. 

treason,  in  dungeon  and  stockade  should  be  chronicled 
as  faithfully  as  its  acts  in  council  or  on  the  battle  field. 
Entire  impartiality  we  may  not  attain,  because  the 
sense  of  outrage  will  always  remain  more  or  less  intense, 
and  the  pulse  of  every  sufferer  must  throb  with  the 
recollection,  even  after  years  elapse,  of  the  uncalled  for 
cruelty  which  was  a  feature  of  prison  treatment  through 
out  the  South.  But  though  the  memory  of  wrong  mav 
color,  at  times,  the  impressions  of  soldiers  who  recall 
their  miserable  existence  as  prisoners  of  war,  it  cannot 
heighten  or  broaden  the  astounding  facts  which  under 
lie  all  mere  narration.  The  horrors  of  stockade  and 
barrack  incarceration,  under  rebel  rule;  the  unmitigated 
rigors  of  forced  marches,  the  robbery  and  insult  of  offi 
cers  and  privates,  the  systematized  starvation,  the  denial 
of  fuel  in  the  midst  of  winter,  of  shelter  against  the 

/  o 

elements,  of  eyen  that  common  boon  of  nature — water, 
to  quench  the  thirst  or  cleanse  the  body,  the  neglect  of 
sick  and  dying,  the  deliberate  murders  of  the  "dead 
line,"  the  malignant  desecration  of  the  dead — these 
appalling  and  indisputable  FACTS  require  no  embellish 
ment  of  language  or  feeling  to  make  them  stand  out 
terribly  distinct  before  a  Christian  world. 

The  treatment  of  prisoners  of  war  is  a  significant 
test  of  the  civilization  of  any  people  or  nation.  It  is 
the  one  amenity  that  redeems  a  thousand  violences 
engendered  by  belligerent  relations,  or  it  is  the  one 
cruelty  that  casts  all  others  into  the  background.  In 
proportion  as  we  find  a  tribe  or  community  advanced 
in  human  progress,  we  are  prepared  to  expect  a  sympa- 


APPENDIX.  321 

thy  for  the  weak  or  defenceless;  and  it  is  only  in  bar 
barous  or  savage  life  that  we  look  for  the  torture 
of  unarmed  men,  or  the  abuse  of  non-combatants. 
Hence  it  is  difficult  to  realize  that  a  distinct  and  large 
portion  of  the  American  people  should  be  chargeable 
with  such  enormities  of  prison  maltreatment  as  have 
become  matters  of  fact  and  history  during  four  years 
of  civil  strife.  And  yet  we  are  constrained,  by  posi 
tive  evidence,  to  arraign  the  Government  and  citizens 
of  rebel  States  on  charges  of  cruelty  such  as  disgrace 
civilization  and  belie  Christianity. 

From  the  beginning  of  the  rebellion  to  its  close  no 
greater  distinctitn  is  noticeable,  between  the  two  belli 
gerent  sections,  than  that  manifested  through  the  expe 
rience  of  war  prisoners.  Under  rebel  or  Confederate 
authority,  the  experience  (as  rehearsed  by  Union  sol 
diers)  is  replete  with  every  detail  of  suffering  that 
imagination  can  conceive,  every  circumstance  of  cruelty 
that  irresponsible  power  could  add  to  the  burthen  of 
captivity. 

At  the  will  of  their  captors  and  enemies,  they  were 
stripped  of  every  necessary;  scorged  as  negro  slaves; 
kicked  as  dogs;  hung  up  by  the  thumbs;  chained  up  to 
posts,  or  forced  to  drag  cannon  balls;  compelled  to 
stand  bareheaded  and  barefooted  for  hours,  under  a' 
torrid  sun;  obliged  to  mark  time  eight  hours  on  a 
stretch;  immured  in  underground  dungeons;  harried 
and  mangled  by  bloodhounds;  deprived  of  food  for 
three  days  at  a  time;  refused  water  during  whole  days 
and  nights;  shot  at  in  their  beds,  or  as  they  walked  in 


322  APPENDIX. 

their  camps,  or  while  dragging  their  feeble  frames  to 
the  sinks,  or  while  seeking  a  breath' of  air  or  a  cup  of 
water;  deprived  of  their  limbs  at  the  whim  of  incom 
petent  surgeons,  or  murdered  in  hospital  by  vile  drugs, 
or  barbarous  neglect.  These  dreadful  facts  of  treatment 
must  become  matters  of  historic  record,  and  be  trans 
mitted  to  posterity  as  the  deeds  which  treason  and  rebel 
lion  could  perpetrate,  when  inspired  by  the  spirit  of 
human  slavery. 

Maltreatment  on  the  march  was  of  different  degrees 
of  barbarity.  It  comprised  the  forcing  of  jaded  or 
wounded  men  to  unnatural  foot  marches;  the  depriva 
tion  of  water  and  of  food  on  the  route  }  the  confinement 
of  persons  by  night  in  pestiferous  jails;  the  packing  of 
them  by  sixties  and  eighties  in  close  and  filthy  box 
cars,  on  the  railroads,  or  their  exposure  to  cold  and 
storm  in  shelterless  flats;  the  goading  of  feeble  persons 
by  blows  of  the  sabre,  bayonet  stabs,  and  the  dragging 
of  them  forward  by  lassoes,  tied  to  the  saddle  bows  of 
mounted  guards.  In  the  forced  foot  marches*  great 
numbers  of  our  disabled  men  succumbed  to  fatigue,  low 
nourishment  and  exposure.  Their  graves  are  land 
marks  of  the  routes  traveled  in  various  Southern  States, 
by  the  dismal  processions  of  captured  Union  men. 
Frozen  to  death  in  sleep,  shot  down  or  bayoneted  by 
day,  sinking  under  disease  or  from  weakness,  they  fell 
by  the  way,  and  were  buried  in  the  roadside  ditches. 

Respect  for  the  dead  is  looked  for  among  all  civil 
ized  people.  It  is  a  simple  expression  of  piety  which 
ought  to  distinguish  the  Christian  from  the  barbarian 


APPENDIX.  323 

or  savage.  But  the  record  of  prison  treatment  at  the 
South  is  made  blacker  by  the  accounts  of  contumely 
inflicted  on  the  poor  dust  of  humanity,  the  desecration 
even  of  the  inanimate  remains  of  our  soldiers,  who  died 
the  victims  of  neglect  and  cruelty.  In  times  of 
epidemic  disease,  where  mortality  is  incessant,  and 
death  waits  at  every  door,  there  is  apology  that  no 
bell  tolls  and  no  funeral  cortage  moves.  So,  likewise, 
when  fevers  and  acute  disorders  of  all  kinds  were  carry 
ing  off  scores  and  sometimes  hundreds  per  diem,  in 
such  lazar  houses  as  Andersonville  and  Salisbury  and 
Florence  prisons,  we  might  find  some  palliation  for 
rebel  authorities"  if  they  simply  hurried  the  burial  of 
dead  prisoners,  omitting  all  marks  of  outward  respect 
to  enemies  of  their  cause  and  objects.  But  when  we 
know  they  added  insult  and  ignominy  to  indifference 
or  carelessness;  that* they  suffered  the  dead  bodies  of 
our  poor  soldiers  to  lie  for  whole  days  festering  in  the 
sun,  or  piled  them,  stark  naked,  in  heaps,  as  wood  is 
corded,  upon  carts,  and  flung  them  like  dead  brutes  into 
ditches,  and  covered  them  so  scantily  with  earth  that 
their  arms  and  legs  protruded;  and  when  we  remember 
that  the  human  remains  thus  dealt  with  ,were  those  of 
brave  soldiers,  who  had  fallen  into  captivity  by  the  for 
tune  of  battle,  and  had  perished  through  the  barbarity 
of  the  captors,  wre  cannot  dwrell  with  calmness  on  the 
story  of  this  latest  outrage  on  the  civilization  of  our 
age  and  nation. 

Our  soldiers,  in  most  of  the  burial  trenches  of  prison 
grounds,  lie  by  thousands  in  moldering  heaps.     A  head 


324  APPENDIX. 

board  may  indicate  the  spot  where  rests  husband,  son, 
or  brother;  a  number,  entered  in  a  hospital  book,  may 
be  an  index  to  the  dead  soldier,  whose  nude  body  was 
thrust,  with  scores  of  other  atrophied  forms,  into  a  com 
mon  receptacle,  there  to  crumble  into  dust. 

The  fond  respect  of  friends  may  make  a  place  of 
pilgrimage  of  those  honored  graves,  and  the  visitor  may 
feel  that  he  kneels  upon  a  sod  which  covers  the  coffin 
of  some  friend  beloved  in  life;  but  memory  must  go 
back,  mournfully,  to  the  deep,  wide  trendies,  and 
behold  the  bodies  of  our  dead  soldiers  massed  shroud 
less  together.  It  is  a  sad  task  to  attempt  an  identifica 
tion  of  the  many  unknown  graves.  Better  that  the 
bones  of  all  be  collected  and  placed,  with  fitting  cere 
monies,  under  a  National  monument,  and  that  their 
ashes  be  embalmed  by  the  tears  of  a  great  people,  for 
whose  union  and  freedom  they^Lil  the  death  of 
martyrs. 

THE  END. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


:  ;• 


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LD  21A-50m-8,'57 
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